“Do You Believe in Miracles?”

At the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, in February 1980, the United States ice hockey team —made up of mostly amateurs— wasn’t expected to win a medal. The Soviet Union was the best team in the world and was expected to win gold easily. The United States met the Goliaths of international hockey in their second to last game. The day before, the New York Times reported, “Unless the ice melts, or unless the United States team or another team performs a miracle … the Russians are expected to easily win the Olympic gold medal for the sixth time in the last seven tournaments.”* Eight and a half thousand people crowded into the Olympic Center ice rink to see the United States play the Soviet Union, and as America won the game four goals to three, television announcer Al Michaels famously exclaimed, “Do you believe in miracles?!” It was such a shocking win that Sports Illustrated called it the “top sports moment of the 20th century.” The game became known as “The Miracle on Ice.” What a question.

Do you believe in miracles? The win over the Soviets wasn’t a miracle. It was a game, and as in all hockey games, the team that scores the most points wins. Usually, it’s the better team. Sometimes there are upsets, a surprise winner, but a game is a game. The Bible talks about real miracles. John 11:43 says that when Jesus stood before the tomb of Lazarus, He called out, “Lazarus, come forth,” and Lazarus came forth from the dead. A true miracle! Jesus healed the lame, cast out demons, and fed the multitudes. Jesus turned water to wine, caused the deaf to hear, and restored sight to the blind. These were real miracles. God is the God of the supernatural.

He is able to work miracles. They don’t always happen when and where we wish, but God is still in the miracle-working business. Is it time you expected more from God? Have faith in God today. He is able. Do you believe in miracles?