The Gift of Miracles
Yael Eckstein | December 29, 2024
I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, LORD,
as you know.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly. — Psalm 40:9–10
Jewish people around the world are celebrating Hanukkah, the Festival Festival of Lights. Enjoy this collection of my devotional teachings on this festival that Jesus celebrated (John 10:22)—including this one by my father, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, of blessed memory.
In Psalm 40, King David referenced an obligation for every individual who had received a miracle in his or her life. David knew what he was writing about because he wrote this psalm just after he himself was miraculously saved by God. David thanked God for salvation in the beginning of the psalm and asked for further divine protection in the future at the end of the psalm.
In the middle of the psalm, however, David also wrote: “I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips… I do not hide your righteousness… I speak of your faithfulness… I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.” David confirmed that he had made known God’s miracles in public, and this is something that we can all learn from.
Miracles—A Gift from God
Telling others about God’s miracles is deeply embedded in the Jewish tradition. The focal point of Passover is retelling the Exodus story and how God heard the cries of the children of Israel and rescued them from Egypt with great miracles. On Hanukkah, we light our menorahs in our front windows so that everyone will be reminded of the great miracle that God performed for the Maccabees—how a few defeated many and a small flask of oil lasted for eight days.
When God gives us the gift of a miracle, we must give Him the gift of sharing our experiences. In this way we connect people with the power of God and inspire faith in God.
Are you inspired by these stories of God’s salvation? I hope so. Now share your story about what God has done for you. It’s our privilege, our duty, and a great act of service to proclaim His saving acts.
Your Turn:
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