Today’s Devotional Theme
Miracles and Saints
Daily Scripture
Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him [God], for he who comes to God must believe that He is [He lives], and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Encouragement
Mother Theresa has recently been installed as a “saint” by the Catholic Church. Among other requirements for sainthood as that church defines it, the person must have performed two miracles as authenticated by the Vatican. Mother Theresa spent most of her life helping the dying and destitute in what was at that time one of the poorest and most squalid places in the world, Kolcata (formerly known as Calcutta), India. The late, in-your-face atheist Christopher Hitchens called her “a fanatic, a fundamentalist, and a fraud.”Hardly an opinion of this Godly woman that many would back up. However, Mother Theresa candidly admitted that although she seldom if ever felt God’s presence, she never doubted that God was alive and working on her behalf. She believed and pleased God. Which brings us to today’s verse, one of my favorites. That phrase often translated “must believe that He is” is better translated “must believe that He lives” or “…He is active.”Permit me a (mercifully!) short excursion into linguistics and Jewish culture. The phrase in focus is a characteristically Hebrew expression. The verb translated “is” means much more than mere existence. It points to active presence. Remember how God answered “I am Who I am” when Moses asked, who shall I say sent me? In Exodus 3:14.The Hebrew word for “I am,” like the Greek word for “is” in today’s scripture, means vital activity, not mere existence. No doubt the writer of Hebrews had in mind God’s response to Moses’ query when he wrote today’s verse.
Take Action!
What is a miracle and who is a saint?We don’t need fancy theological definitions (thankfully).The Bible works just fine. A miracle is anything God does through us when we intercede on behalf of someone needing God’s touch:not only healing but supplying financial needs as only He can or averting a sure accident – anything that science can’t hope to explain. Here’s a personal example. For many years we have consistently found many dollars in our checking account that my wife, who is an excellent manager of our day-to-day finances, cannot account for. That is an ongoing miracle in our lives!Yes, Mother Theresa is a miracle-worker and saint, as are all we who believe, 1 Corinthians 1:2.
Come into His Presence
Precious Father, I am grateful that Your word holds answers to all our spiritual questions. We are blessed to be saints of the most high God. We know You do miracles through us all the time. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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