We often use the term “miracle” as the answer to an experience we can’t easily explain. Whether it’s walking away from a car accident unharmed or when our car keys appear on the table after we’ve spent 20 minutes looking for them, we are quick to dub the result a miracle. 

And while there’s some truth to this, miracles have a greater purpose. Let’s find out what that is.

A miracle is an event where God is circumventing the natural order in order to do something extraordinary. But miracles have a purpose, which is ultimately glorify God, which they do in a couple of ways:

First, they glorify God by putting His power on display. Think about the way that people responded to the Acts of the apostles as they proclaimed the gospel. The result was that people believed and glorified God. The same is true of the miracles we see in the Old Testament, such as the parting of the Red Sea. 

Second, miracles glorify God by confirming the truth of His message and the trustworthiness of His messengers. God worked miracles through Moses, and Peter in order to confirm their message. Jesus also performed miracles to confirm the truthfulness of His message and His identity as the Messiah, God’s Promised Rescuer.

So, does God still work miraculously today? Absolutely! And if we have any doubt about that, all we have to do is remember that it is literally a miracle anyone is a Christian. 

By faith in Christ, the One who miraculously rose from the dead, God does the impossible and raises the spiritually dead to life! 

That, by definition is a miracle—the greatest miracle that any of us can experience. And it is a miracle that God gladly and joyfully continues to work in people all over the world, in every nation and people group, as they put their trust in Jesus.