Celebrating a Miracle Milestone

“Celebrating a Miracle Milestone”
By Pastor Kent Munsey
April 25, 2021

So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom, and they marched on that roundabout route seven days; and there was no water for the army, nor for the animals that followed them. And the king of Israel said, “Alas! For the Lord has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.”

But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?” So one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.” And Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him. Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother.” But the king of Israel said to him, “No, for the Lord has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” 
And Elisha said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you, nor see you. But now bring me a musician.” Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’ And this is a simple matter in the sight of the Lord; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. Also you shall attack every fortified city and every choice city, and shall cut down every good tree, and stop up every spring of water, and ruin every good piece of land with stones.” Now it happened in the morning, when the grain offering was offered, that suddenly water came by way of Edom, and the land was filled with water.

• II Kings 3:9-20 (NKJV)

Today, we are celebrating a corporate miracle. In this context, we are defining a miracle as something that only God can do. In this text, we see a corporate miracle. If there was a post miracle press, they would have been all over this particular scene. God showed up miraculously. 

Imagine what a miracle press would have looked like after the Israelites defeated Moab and brought a great victory. The press would have asked, “How did you all gain the victory?” This is because they seemed divided, on different pages, and they couldn’t get in unity. Elisha would be the first to say that it wasn’t the kings; it was God. God showed up.

Oftentimes, we hear people share miracle stories. We hear people share about God encounters and testimonies. They say that God showed up. How did City Church Chicago survive in a year where 30% of churches shut their doors, and they are saying that they will not reopen. Churches have not been able to gather and meet. How in the world did City Church Chicago bring in the resources and the finances to purchase this land? God showed up.

1. If you want to see miracles in your life, you have to prioritize the presence of God. God shows up in the praises of his people. God shows up where he is celebrated. God shows up where he is wanted. We have a God who is with us. He has been with us from the very first day that we planted this church. There is something about inviting God into your circumstance and your situation. The best way that we can invite God is by welcoming him and praising him. 

In this text, it does not seem like the time for a praise party. Three kings were confused and lost. They called on Elisha because he could call on the name of the Lord. For us to experience miracles in our lives, we have to prioritize the presence of God. The kings began to praise God amidst their circumstances. The enemy was attacking, but they took time to prioritize God’s blessing. We have experienced a corporate miracle because we have a deep conviction that if God is with us, then nothing can be against us. When the kings praised God, he showed up. 

2. When God’s presence showed up, God began to invite everyone to participate. When God’s presence showed up, God began to invite everyone to participate. Miracles happen when God’s people begin to participate in God’s presence. We need to celebrate the participation that our church has played in this miracle. Faith without works is dead. God will invite you to participate in the miracle he is about to perform. Our participation has produced unity and agreement. It has produced something tangible that God can bless. 

3. There was a change in perspective. Looking through the lens of what God can do is what produces the miracle. God chose to show up. He chose for us to participate in this miracle so that God could change our perspective. The story that has been written is so that only God can get the glory. A supernatural perspective will continue to produce miracles in our lives and the lives of others. Miracles are moments that are worthy of us pausing for the post-miracle press conference to pay attention to what is happening. 

Reflection/Discussion Questions:
1. How can you prioritize God’s presence more in your life this week?  

2. How has God invited you to participate in the work that he is doing? 

3. Do you have eyes to see what God is doing? How can you adopt a supernatural perspective for the move of God in your life and in our church? 

4. How has participating in this miracle influenced your experience of God’s presence?