Utumishi Blog

Miracles, healings and prophecies can all turn out to be worthless (Matt. 7:22; 1 Cor. 13:1-3) but there is one thing that cannot be faked – rejoicing in Christ in the midst of suffering. This is the peace beyond all human understanding. A miracle that can only be produced by the Spirit of God. When Paul prayed for his suffering to be removed God did a greater miracle – sufficient grace – boasting in weakness (2 Cor. 12). When the apostles were given 39 lashes (Acts 5:40) and they went off ‘rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the Name’ (Acts 5:41) was that not a greater miracle than the healing of the lame man in Acts 3? Joni Eareckson Tada – confined to a wheelchair after a diving accident as a young woman – said, “God didn’t heal me physically – he did a greater miracle – he kept me in a wheelchair and put a smile on my face.” When I hear someone testifying to how Christ has brought them to a place of complete assurance and contentment in Him, how he is their joy in the midst of continuing pain or singleness or childlessness – then I praise God for a far greater miracle than a testimony of healing or marriage or conception.

(You can hear Joni speaking on suffering here.)