Inquire now of the Lord for us because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is attacking us. Perhaps the Lord will perform wonders for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us.
Jeremiah 21:2 NIV
The words of King Zedekiah in Jeremiah 21 offer a powerful reflection on the mindset of those who are seeking a miracle without a true commitment to God. Zedekiah had abandoned a genuine relationship with the Lord. However, on the day of trouble, he hoped for a divine intervention. His actions mirror those of many today who turn to God only when they are desperate. They hope for a supernatural escape without any intention of drawing near to Him.
Zedekiah’s plea reveals a flawed perception of God. Rather than seeking Him in repentance and faith, he treated the Lord as a last resort. He saw God as someone to be consulted only when trouble arose. His request lacked sincerity; he was seeking a miracle, not a relationship with the Miracle-Worker. Like many today, he wanted the benefits of God’s power without the responsibility of surrendering his life to Him.
This attitude is still prevalent. Many neglect prayer, worship, and obedience when life is going well, yet when hardship strikes, they desperately call on God for deliverance. But God is not a magician who performs wonders on demand. His miracles are not random; they flow from His covenant with those who seek Him wholeheartedly. Seeking a miracle without seeking God Himself leads to disappointment because faith, trust, and obedience are the foundations for His blessings.
Zedekiah’s mistake was not in asking for God’s help but in failing to approach Him with the right heart. He had heard of God’s mighty works in the past, yet he did not understand that those miracles came from a place of covenant relationship. Instead of personally humbling himself before God, he sent messengers to Jeremiah, revealing his spiritual distance and lack of faith.
God’s power to save is unquestionable. He has the authority to grant victory in any situation, but His intervention is not for those who merely want relief while continuing to live in rebellion. The Lord desires those who pursue Him earnestly, not just those who cry out in distress.
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. – Isaiah 59:1-2 NIV
To experience God’s deliverance, we must go beyond momentary prayers for help. A life of faithful communion, obedience, and trust is the key to walking in divine provision. God wants people who seek Him daily, not just in times of calamity. Only when we cultivate an authentic relationship with Him can we confidently stand in faith, knowing that He is with us in every season.
So, ask yourself: Are you truly seeking God, or are you just seeking a miracle?