October 1, 2026
Belief in Miracles July 4, 2026
I know people who believe in miracles, as I do. But I also have known those who did not. One of my favorite authors is a psychiatrist named M. Scott Peck. He wrote a book that I keep on my desk entitled The Road Less Traveled. In this book, Dr. Peck stated, “When I graduated from medical school, I was certain that there were no miracles. Today I am certain that miracles abound.”
It is most encouraging to me that so many very intelligent people, like Dr. Peck, are Christians. Many intelligent, but unwise, people consider believers in Christ to be simple-minded and naïve. It is encouraging to realize that Christian faith encompasses geniuses from the past and present. I have often cited Galileo, Pasteur, Newton, Capernicas, and many other brilliant scientists as believers in Christ. Dr. Peck is among a long list of modern-day, intelligent believers.
Recently our Worship Leader asked our church to pray for a great-nephew of hers who was facing surgery to remove a large tumor from his brain. The surgeons had warned of the risks and great complexity of the procedure. However, they explained that it was necessary for the boy of eleven to have a normal life.
Many of us prayed at the exact time of the scheduled surgery. I prayed specifically for a miracle. I asked the Lord to manifest His power and mercy to spare this young man’s life and health. Our leader texted me hours later, saying that the surgery had been a success. She said the boy declared that he had felt God’s presence and the many prayers lifted up on his behalf. I simply say, “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow and thank you, Lord, for the miracle.”
Had the boy not survived, we would have all been very sad for his family, but we would have still trusted God and realized that He simply had other plans for this young life. Things do not always work out the way we would have them or even what we pray for. But we must always trust God because He loves us all and always does what is best for us, though we may not see or understand it.
Dr. Peck began his book, which I referred to, with the statement, “Life is difficult.” How very true! He continued by declaring that “Life is a series of problems” and that it is in meeting and solving problems that life has its meaning. He said it is because of problems that we grow mentally and spiritually.
Peter reminds us, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). In Philippians 4:6, Paul reminds us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
If only we Christians would heed the advice God freely gives us in His Word! The Bible is God’s advice, comfort, and warning to us. In it, we find His many promises, and, unlike man, God keeps all His promises. Notice Paul included “with thanksgiving” in his advice. We should thank God not only for the miracles and answers to our prayers, but we should thank Him every day for each day He gives us. And let us thank Him for everything else He has so generously bestowed upon us. Amen.
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Ralph Fudge is the pastor of Big Ochlocknee Baptist Church in Coolidge, Ga., and has a Master’s degree in theology from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
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