And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV
My cousin asked me to sing at her wedding a year in advance. Now it was two days before the ceremony and I had no voice. It was probably just a passing virus, but I had no time for regular remedies or to allow it to run its course. I needed a miraculous answer to prayer—and I needed it now. Did I have enough faith to believe God for a miracle?
Why do we treat faith like it’s a magic formula? We act as though God is obligated to give us exactly what we want as long as we follow the correct steps; as long as we adhere to the formula. We don’t realize our faith is built on our relationship to a loving Father, not by following a creed or code. He uses covenants not contracts. Contracts spell out exactly what each party is to provide and what each should expect. Covenants contain what the parties want to accomplish together. They are based on a relationship in which each party wants the best for the other.
Paul reminded the Romans that God works all things together for good, not that all things are good. Sometimes what God sends our way is harsh and doesn’t appear to come from a Father who loves us. Sometimes what He does makes no sense to us at all. But God does not have to specifically promise He will do this or that in order for us to trust Him. Certainly He wants us to ask Him for the things we need, but He provides them because He loves and cares for us, not because we follow the letter of a spiritual contract. We can trust Him—not just His actions. We can know that everything He allows is only and always for our ultimate good.
God cared for me and for my cousin, providing exactly what was needed. My voice returned just in time and just long enough for me to sing.
Whatever crisis we face today, we can have faith that He knows and He cares. That’s the faith that brings about miracles.
Kenneth M. Briggs is a freelance writer, speaker, and all around square peg with a passion for truth, a vivid imagination, and a propensity for daydreaming. He has written devotional, inspirational, and technical articles, but prefers Sci-Fi and other fiction genres. He’s a member of ACFW, participates in the Scribes critique group, and is an alumnus of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and the Autumn in the Mountains Novelist Retreat. A private pilot and motorcycle enthusiast, Kenneth has a great time soaring the skies or cruising country roads when given the opportunity. He currently resides in North Mississippi where he participates in the church choir and volunteers his time twice a month speaking and singing at a local retirement community. Visit his blog site at www.kbspeaks.com.
