SMALL GOD SYNDROME

"Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?" (Psalm 78:19)

GOD LED ISRAEL into a vast wilderness where nature did not provide food and water. If God did not feed them and give them to drink, the desert would overcome them. However, the people did not cry out to God for provision. Instead, they challenged His capability. They were not merely philosophizing, but were speaking of their survival. They had been delivered by God out of the "iron furnace" of Egypt, but the desert seemed to be too formidable – even for God. Thus they "spoke against God," questioning that He could even provide their need. In Numbers their challenge is, "Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread"(Num 21:5).

SIMILAR CRIES ARE RISING rising from the church today. To many, it seems as though the heavens have been shut, and God no longer works outside of nature. Some have even invented doctrines that say this is all by Divine intention – that He no longer works in that manner. To the unbelieving heart and undiscerning eye, it does appear that God still works in seemingly hopeless circumstances. However, we must not allow the presence of religious frauds and warped emphases to distort our view of God!

SALVATION IS INFINITELY LARGER than we mere men would lead us to believe. This is why Paul prayed fervently for those to whom he had preached and written. He prayed they would be able to see "what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power" (Eph 1:19). The contemporary church's employment of Divine power can be likened to a man who inherited a billion dollars deciding to use his new riches to have his shoes resoled. Small thinking among God's people reproaches God, demeans Jesus, and quenches the Spirit. This exceeding great power is "toward," or devoted to, those who believe! God is looking for someone whose cause He can undergird (2 Chron 16:9) – someone whose heart is perceptive enough to sense the magnitude of the power given to them in Christ Jesus.

IN HIS ELABORATION of this remarkable power, Paul affirmed to the Ephesians a truth for us also. "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Eph 3:20-21). Notice, God can even NOW work in a manner far beyond what we are capable of asking or even thinking – and it is according to the power that works in us! This is not His plan for the Apostolic age, but for His people "to all generations." I am afraid minuscule views of God and His work have pushed the average church beyond the realm of Divine working – into the outer court of unbelief and mediocrity.

WHAT WE HAVE IN CHRIST JESUS is powerful enough to throw down false ideas (certainly a supernatural work). What do you suppose would happen if the church took this seriously. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor 10:4-5). Is that not a mighty work? Moses could not throw down the false notions of Israel – not even with the remarkable miracles he wrought.

ARE THERE MIRACLES TODAY? It should be evident miracles are not, at the very least, in abundance – at least not in our country. It should also be evident that the rank unbelief that dominates our country prohibits such working. But that does not mean God's people cannot set their sights high, and aspire to do great things for God – things that require Omnipotence to get done.

THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE MIRACLE WORKERS will have to submit to scrutiny, for we are commanded to "try the spirits" (1 John 4:1). We need more than their word on the matter. Too, their message must be evaluated, for supernatural workings can accompany a false message (Deut 13:1-3). What such men say is more important than what they say they do.

I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY WORD from God that admonishes us to develop an official position on miracles and supernatural workings. Our position must be "God is able." Equally true, it is our business to make war on unbelief, which prohibits the mighty God from working in our behalf, as it disallowed Jesus' mighty working in His own country.

IF YOU ASK WHETHER OR NOT God works supernaturally, men and women from around the world will rise up to testify that, indeed, He does! People from every age and place will declare strong faith has always been honored by God. There is no reason – absolutely none – to assume it cannot be true of you also. If God can work transcendently to nature, then seek to do something requiring that kind of working. Aspire to rise above the mediocre, and God will surely bless you!

– Given O. Blakely