As we wrap up our teaching series on “Miracles in Motion,” I’m filled with excitement and anticipation for what God has in store for us. Over the past eight weeks, we’ve witnessed the incredible ways God moves in the lives of His people, and today, we’re going to explore the connection between obedience and miracles.
Obedience Demonstrates Our Faith in God’s Sovereignty
Obedience is more than just following a set of rules; it’s a visible display of our belief in the supreme authority of God. When we obey God, we’re saying, “God, I trust that You know better than I do. Your ways are higher than my ways, and even when I don’t understand what You’re asking me to do, I trust You.”
One of the clearest examples of obedience in the Bible is the story of Noah. In Genesis 6, God tells Noah to build an ark, even though there was no sign of a flood on the horizon. Noah spent years building the ark, facing ridicule and doubt from those around him. But his obedience, even in the face of uncertainty, miraculously preserved his life and the lives of his family and the animals.
“And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.” – Genesis 6:22
Similarly, when Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac, his obedience, even though it seemed to contradict God’s promises, led to God reaffirming His covenant and blessings.
Obedience Prepares Us for God’s Power to Manifest
Obedience isn’t just about following rules; it’s about positioning ourselves to experience God’s power in our lives. When we obey, we align our hearts with God’s will, creating an atmosphere where miracles can happen.
In the story of the wedding at Cana, we see the power of obedience. When Jesus instructed the servants to fill the jars with water, it didn’t make sense, but they obeyed, and as a result, Jesus performed his first recorded miracle, turning the water into wine.
“His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.'” – John 2:5
Similarly, in the story of Peter and the miraculous fish catch, Peter’s obedience to Jesus’ instruction to put out into deep water and let down the nets positioned him to witness and experience God’s miraculous power.
Obedience Opens the Door to Divine Provision
Another powerful example is the feeding of the 5,000. When the disciples told Jesus they didn’t have enough food to feed the crowd, Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” The disciples could have doubted or argued, but instead, they obeyed and brought the little they had to Jesus, who then multiplied it to feed the multitude.
“Jesus said to them, ‘Bring them here to me.'” – Matthew 14:18
When we obey God’s commands to give or serve, even when we feel like we don’t have enough, we open the door for God to multiply our efforts and provide more than enough.
Obedience Leads to Transformation and Testimony
Obedience not only unlocks God’s power in our lives but also transforms our hearts and leads to powerful testimonies. In the story of Naaman the leper, Naaman was initially offended by Elisha’s simple instruction to wash in the Jordan River seven times. But when he humbled himself and obeyed, he was not only healed physically but also had his heart transformed, recognizing the power of the God of Israel.
“So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.” – 2 Kings 5:14
Obedience also builds our faith through testimony. When we see God’s power manifested in our lives through our obedience, it strengthens our faith and inspires us to continue walking in obedience.
Obedience Brings Glory to God
Ultimately, our obedience is not about us; it’s about glorifying God. As the Apostle Paul says, Jesus was obedient to the Father even to the point of death on the cross. When we obey, we are aligning our lives with God’s plan and purpose, allowing Him to be glorified through our actions.
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.” – Philippians 2:8
As we close, I want to challenge you to reflect on areas in your life where God may be calling you to greater obedience. What small step of obedience can you take this week, starting today? Trust that as you obey, God will pour out His blessings and reveal His power in your life.
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.” – Deuteronomy 28:1-2
Friends, the key to unlocking miracles in your life is obedience. When we trust God enough to obey, even when it doesn’t make sense, we position ourselves for the extraordinary. So let’s step out in faith, obeying God’s voice, and watch as He unleashes His power in our lives.