Miracles

Jim has showered and eaten breakfast, and now he wants to meet with God. He reaches for his Bible and says a quick prayer. He isn’t sure what to read, so he sets the Bible on the table and lets the book fall open. Jim trusts God to lead him to the right passage. This display of God’s sovereignty comforts Jim as he takes up Psalm 137.

Jim is not alone in his method, and I understand the attraction. It is powerful to think God “opened your Bible” to a specific page. God has a message prepared especially for you!

Though you may respect Jim’s approach to Scripture, you might question his sanity if he bought a house this way. Open a real estate web site and make an offer on the first house in your price range. After all, God is sovereign! In this setting, we understand the value of a careful and deliberate manner.

So why do we crave a mystical experience when studying the Bible? Why do we expect God’s miraculous intervention?

We feel our weakness and confusion as humans and long for strength and certainty; we see our finitude and stretch for the infinite. Like the Jewish people of Jesus’s day, we seek a sign (Matt 12:38). The burning bush, the audible voice, the vivid dream—we covet God’s unmistakeable actions.

When Jesus was asked for a sign, he pointed to himself and his resurrection. (See Matthew 12:38–42.) His incarnation and resurrection form the centerpiece of history, the miracles that confirm God’s word and make all other miracles possible. (Read more about the place of miracles in the modern church in this article by Justin Holcomb.)

Plans

These days, God guides us more often with a careful plan than with a shriveled hand (1 Kings 13:4). Many think this sounds boring, but to me this understanding injects a holy significance and excitement into each day on the calendar.

In the Bible, God frequently uses “ordinary” means to lead his people.

Nehemiah prays and asks the king for permission and support to rebuild Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 2:1–8)
Jethro sees Moses carrying a heavy burden and suggests he enlist others to help him judge the people. (Exodus 18:13–27)
Joshua sends spies to Jericho. They meet Rahab, and this proves critical in overthrowing the city. (Joshua 2:1–24)
Through his skill, planning, and experience David wins many battles. (2 Samuel 8:1–14)
Paul makes travel plans without a vision or angelic itinerary. (Romans 15:22–25)

Though God worked in and through these decisions and events, we witness no disruptive divine intervention. Today, as then, we need not depend on writing in the sky to learn from God.

Considerations

Make a plan to study a portion of the Bible. This is different than a Bible reading plan. What part of the Bible will you dig into and find under your fingernails? Where will you direct your blossoming OIA skills?

Consider these questions as you make your plan.

What is your church studying? God often presses us with the application of a passage as we see it from different angles (personal study, sermon, Sunday school, small group).
What have you studied recently? Don’t hesitate to vary the length, genre, or time period of the passage from one project to the next.
What is your background? If you’re new to studying the Bible or to the Christian faith, ask a pastor or Christian friend for some suggestions.
How lengthy is your plan? Don’t rush! God’s word is deep and yields a rich harvest for those who take time to carefully work the field.

Feel free to take detours from your Bible study plan. But don’t despise plans themselves—God often uses unspectacular means to direct and guide us.