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November 23 Daily Devotional

Undeserved Miracles

Frans Bakker

There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. —Luke 17:18

Bible Reading

Luke 17:11–19

Devotional

Has a miracle ever happened to you? Have you recovered from a sickbed after you had questioned if you would ever be healed from it? Have you ever been saved from a danger in which you wondered if you would be released? Think about your own life. Everyone has stories of remarkable deliverances of which they must say, “I have been delivered from trouble.”

We have all experienced divine miracles in our lives. Every day the miracles of God are showered down from heaven into our homes: our food, our drink, our clothing, and our substance. Are these miracles? Many people speak about human rights. But when we think we have rights with God, then there is no place left for miracles. But all God’s blessings and dealings are miracles. Or have we deserved them? The question is not if all these blessings, which are showered upon us, are miracles or not; the question is, have they become miracles for us?

In each of our lives there has been a need at one time or other. We may have even had faith that God was able to hear our prayers. It is also possible, that in certain matters a sure trust in God has been exercised, and it is also possible that our prayers were answered. But was there gratefulness? Did we see that all God’s blessings were undeserved miracles?

Many people do not see the blessings of God in their lives. The Lord Jesus asks, “Where are the nine?” Nine of the ten lepers did not return in thankfulness after they were healed. Nine out of ten—that is quite a number. It is a frightening reality: so many were not thankful. And yet the wonder is all the greater when we belong to that one instead of the nine! Do you believe this?

Nine out of ten were unthankful! There was only one who expressed thankfulness. Whoever looks at himself will say, “I belong to the nine.” Christ asks, “Where are the nine?” Has He counted them so precisely? Yes, indeed, the Lord looked on them, and when He saw them, He counted them; there were ten. The Lord knows precisely who receives His blessings. Christ had not forgotten the miracles of healing, though the nine may have forgotten Him. The Giver and the nine who forgot Him will yet meet each other again in the Day of days. Our blessings, which we have received, are also recorded in a book in heaven. The Lord will ask us what we have done with the blessings we have received in life.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.

 

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