A Change of People, Not of Plan
By C. L. Taylor
HY should one reason that the day of miracles is past? Why believe that the blessings of healing the sick, of giving sight to the blind, of restoring hearing to the deaf, of casting out evil spirits, all belonged to the days of the apostles, and ceased to be when those first gifted workers passed away? It is common nowadays to hear even Christian people express their doubts about the efficacy of prayer for the sick or the infirm, and to hear them remark that "it really seems as tho the plan has been changed." Not so, brother, sister. Our Lord Jesus Christ is "the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever." When He instituted His church, and sent it forth into the sinful world, He gave it a commission as broad as the world, and a promise covering all time. His children were to go into all the world to make disciples of all nations; and to enable them to succeed, He gave the assurance, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matt. 28: 19, 20. Certainly He planned out His work for His church from the day He spoke until time should be finished. And we may all be absolutely sure that whatever blessings were received by the first workers who went out to give His Gospel message may be and ought to be received by the last workers in that message. Now, do we not know that the greatest miracle of all miracles is the conversion of the human heart? And do we not know also that the most delightful and long-continued miracle of all miracles is a consistent Christian life? All other miraculous gifts are bestowed only as aids to this one; and wherever the miracle of true conversion has been wrought by the Holy Spirit, there the other miracles of the same Spirit naturally belong. The same blessed power that enables one to overcome sin, is with him also to accomplish God's purpose in overcoming all other ailments, of either body or mind. Just a short time ago a young lady of sixteen summers was taken by her parents to a health institution for an operation. The surgeon made an incision, and found all the vital organs more or less involved by a cancerous growth, and announced to the parents that operation was impossible, and that the daughter must die. When the news was broken to the daughter, and she was told that her case was hopeless, she smilingly and confidently replied, "But I believe Jesus will heal me," and indicated her desire to be anointed and prayed for in harmony with the Scriptures. This was done, and immediately her pulse became normal, her appetite returned, and to-day, after about a year, she is strong and well. Another case comes to my mind. A young lady who herself had found healing through prayer, was called to the bedside of a young man dying of typhoid fever. With heart full of love for God, and with desire to glorify His name, she was moved by the Holy Spirit to say, "My dear Brother —, I command you, in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, to rise up and walk." And instantly he was restored to perfect health and strength. Multiplied instances might be given to illustrate that the "mighty works" of apostolic days may be known to-day by those who will take God at His word. We may rest assured that the plan of God has not changed and can not be changed. The only trouble is that men and women have allowed simple Bible faith so small a place in the life. All that is needed is that the followers of Jesus shall empty themselves of pride, selfishness, and vain ambitions, and then in humble submission to the will of God ask Him to honor His promises, and expect Him to do it. He can not deny Himself. All His promises are yea and amen "unto the glory of God by us." His divine notes, given in the name of His Son, are now all due, and He is willing and anxious to pay. It is high time that we forever dismiss from our hearts the wretched thought that the miracle days are past. Let us see right now that God's blessed plan of Spirit-living and Spirit-working holds good throughout all time, and only awaits a change of heart and of faith on our part to become available to us. O, it is so simple, so beautiful, so intensely enjoyable, this taking God's promises at their full face value! Blessed indeed are the sons and daughters of Jehovah who in childlike faith can follow the Saviour in His prayer at the grave of Lazarus: "Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me. And I knew that Thou hearest Me always." Faith itself is a miraculous gift of God's love; and operated by the Holy Spirit, it brings into the life the fulness of the miracle power of God, and makes the life and times and works of the Saviour an ever-present truth to all His followers.