God at Work Behind the Scenes
Sometimes God’s activity is in plain view for all to see. Such was the case when God produced ten plagues to challenge the gods of Egypt when the Pharaoh refused Moses’ demand to let the Hebrew slaves go. As each plague had a miraculous dimension, it was clear that God was involved.
Another time when God’s activity was clearly in view was when, at the top of Mt. Carmel, Elijah challenged the god of the prophets of Baal to a showdown. Elijah gave the 450 prophets of Baal several hours to induce their god to send fire from heaven to burn up the sacrifice. After nothing happened, Elijah prepared his sacrifice and prayed, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command.” (1 Kings 18:36) In the next instant, fire fell from heaven, disintegrating both the sacrifice and the altar it was on. God wanted there to be no mistake that He, alone, is the Living God.
When Jesus healed people instantly, or when He multiplied an individual’s small meal to feed thousands, or when He commanded the storm to stop or when He walked on the water to His men in their boat, all were out-in-the-open miracles from God.
Not many of us get to witness God opening the eyes of the blind or strengthening the legs of the lame. Does that mean God is not paying attention to our prayers? Perhaps He is strengthening our faith, much like a parent backs up in the swimming pool to coax their child to swim a little farther. But perhaps He is working behind the scenes.
Sadly, God doesn’t always get credit for the out-and-out miracle. Many times, people who have received a diagnosis of cancer ask their friends to pray. When they go back for a follow up, the cancer is gone. Rarely does the doctor admit that God answered prayer. Rather, he says that his earlier tests must have been inaccurate.
One man was telling his friend about answers to prayer. The friend said that they were all just coincidences. To which the first man said, “It’s funny, but the more often I pray, the more often these ‘coincidences’ occur.” God answers our prayers, sometimes openly and sometimes behind the scenes.
Recently I was reading a book in which the author stated, “Coincidences are small miracles in which God prefers to remain anonymous.” That encouraged me because all of us experience coincidental events. Someone crosses your path. You barely avoid an accident. Suddenly, out of the clear blue, you are faced with a great opportunity.
For one friend of mine, TJ Saling Caldwell, it was coming across a dirty penny on the road as she was out for a run. The “coincidence” of that penny being in her path, and picking it up, has led to the formation of Apple of His Eye Charity. Over the years since, tens of thousands of dollars have been sent to India and Rwanda to improve the lives of hundreds of orphans, widows and other less fortunate people. Running across that penny was not a coincidence. It was a miracle, arranged by God, to bless hundreds of people on the other side of the world. In addition, hundreds of us in America have also been blessed as we’ve partnered with TJ in this work.
Today, be sure to thank God for the big, out-in-the-open miracles, as well as for the “coincidences” that He will bring your way.
By Marlon Furtado