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10 Women in the Bible Who Experienced a Miracle

  • Kristine Brown Author of Cinched: Living with Unwavering Trust in an Unfailing God
  • Updated Sep 07, 2017
10 Women in the Bible Who Experienced a Miracle

Miracles. We experience them every day, in the phone call that comes at just the right time or the verse that speaks to exactly what we need. We see God’s miracles in the vastness of the ocean and hear them in the faint whisper of a mom’s voice while holding her newborn baby. But sometimes we face big, scary circumstances. We pray for a miracle. But through the struggles we face, our faith can start to fade.

It’s in those dark times, we can turn to the stories of women in Scripture who experienced mighty miracles from God. These wonders recorded in God’s Word open our eyes to the miracles surrounding us every day. They remind us, “… the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below,” (Deuteronomy 4:39 NIV). Let’s look at these 10 women in the Bible who experienced a miracle. May their stories inspire our hearts and strengthen our belief that God still works miracles today.

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  • 1. Hannah

    1. Hannah

    “When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the Lord remembered her plea, and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, ‘I asked the Lord for him’” (1 Samuel 1:19-20).

    She wanted nothing more than to be a mom. For years she suffered with infertility, and her desire to have a child of her own affected her countenance. Her husband Elkanah tried everything to make Hannah happy. But the agony she felt only grew every time his other wife Peninnah cast a cruel glance her way. 

    Hannah didn’t give up though. Even under the heaviness of harsh words, she held onto her faith. Hannah prayed a bold prayer asking God for her miracle, and God responded through the prophet Eli. “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him,” (1 Samuel 1:17). Hannah experienced the miracle of the birth of her son Samuel, and she dedicated him to a life of service to the Lord.

     

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  • 2. Elizabeth

    2. Elizabeth

    “But the angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John’” (Luke 1:13).

    God’s miracles go beyond the limits of human nature and challenge our understanding. Maybe that’s why Zechariah questioned God when he heard the promise that his wife Elizabeth would become a mother in her old age. Elizabeth wasn’t able to conceive. But that little detail didn’t stop God from fulfilling His plan through her.

    An angel appeared to Zechariah the priest and told him Elizabeth would have a son and instructed him to call the boy John. Elizabeth experienced the miracle of conception. She shared her joy with these humble words, “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.” (Luke 1:25). 

     

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  • 3. Mary, Mother of Jesus

    3. Mary, Mother of Jesus

    “‘Don’t be afraid, Mary,’ the angel told her, ‘for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus’” (Luke 1:30-31).

    Five months after Elizabeth became pregnant, the world forever changed through the greatest miracle conception in history. The angel Gabriel came to visit a young bride-to-be named Mary. His mission? To bring her unfathomable news. “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus,” (Luke 1:31).

    Mary didn’t ask for this miracle, yet she graciously accepted the difficult path God placed before her. How hard it must have been for Mary, with all the doubt-filled stares and questioning comments. But through it all, she and her husband Joseph held fast to their faith and did what God told them to do. From their story we can learn an important truth. Sometimes the greatest miracles are the ones we didn’t pray for.

     

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  • 4. Sarah

    4. Sarah

    “The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age” (Genesis 21:1-2).

    God had big plans for Sarah and her husband Abraham. Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars he saw in the sky (Genesis 15:5). Yet Sarah didn’t trust the truth of that promise because of her age. She decided to intervene and give God a little help. So she gave her servant Hagar to Abraham and instructed him to have children through her. In time, Hagar gave birth to Abraham’s first born son, Ishmael.

    So many times we doubt God’s ability to follow through on a promise, when all we need to do is trust. Why is trust so hard? Why does our faith fizzle out in the waiting? If you are waiting on an answer from God right now, find encouragement in Sarah’s story. Because even in her doubt – even though she laughed when the angel told Abraham she would have a child – God still performed a miracle. Sarah experienced the miracle birth of her son Isaac.

     

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  • 5. Hagar

    5. Hagar

    “Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink” (Genesis 21:19).

    Hagar often gets overlooked because of her role as a simple servant to Sarah. But when we see Hagar as a mom wanting the best for her child, we can relate to her plea when she didn’t want to see her son suffering. 

    In the middle of the desert, Hagar cried out to God. They were alone, out of water, and void of any hope for their situation to change. But God saw Hagar and heard Ishmael’s cries (Genesis 21:17). Hagar’s story reminds us that in our loneliest times, God still sees us and provides what we need to survive. Hagar experienced the miracle of God’s provision.

     

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  • 6. Manoah's Wife

    6. Manoah's Wife

    “The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and said, ‘Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son’” (Judges 13:3).

    Miracles defy our understanding. They can’t be explained. The angel in this story even said, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding,” (>Judges 13:18 NIV). In Scripture, we can read about many miraculous births, but this story is different. She experienced a miracle, but we don’t even know her name.

    The angel visited Manoah’s wife to deliver the news. She received specific instruction about handling her pregnancy and raising the child. God trusted her to follow His directions in taking care of her son, who would one day help deliver Israel from the Philistines. Even though she is known to us as “Sampson’s mom,” God knew her for her willingness to be obedient to His call.

     

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  • 7. Widow with the Jar of Oil

    7. Widow with the Jar of Oil

    “And Elisha said, ‘Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.’ So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. Soon every container was full to the brim!” (2 Kings 4:3-6).

    A single mother of two boys, she faced a financial crisis like nothing she’d ever known. Her husband had been a faithful helper to Elisha, but now he was gone. Not only that, but because of her crisis, she also feared losing her sons. In the midst of her impossible situation, she didn’t lose hope. She didn’t have the answer to her problems, but she knew who to ask.

    God worked a miracle in her life that day, providing a way to pay off her debts and give her financial security for the rest of her life. He filled jars with oil until no empty jars remained. She experienced the miracle of God’s abundance.

     

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  • 8. Woman from Shunem

    8. Woman from Shunem

    “Then Elisha summoned Gehazi. ‘Call the child’s mother!’ he said. And when she came in, Elisha said, ‘Here, take your son!’ She fell at his feet and bowed before him, overwhelmed with gratitude. Then she took her son in her arms and carried him downstairs” (2 Kings 4:36-37).

    She didn’t expect God to give her a son. Time and time again she offered hospitality to Elisha out of her servant’s heart. But God blessed her for her faithfulness. When the boy became sick and died, she spoke one of the most remembered sayings in the Bible. “It is well.” 

    I’m amazed at this brave woman’s ability to remain calm in a crisis. She went straight to the prophet with her need, even passing by without telling her husband. Her actions showed resolve, peace, and steadfast trust. She experienced a miracle when God brought her son back to life.

     

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  • 9. Woman with the Issue of Blood

    9. Woman with the Issue of Blood

    “A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped” (Luke 8:43-44).

    Twelve long years. Constant pain and bleeding. The physical agony she endured only magnified by the loneliness she surely felt in her seclusion from others. She’d had enough, and when she heard Jesus was passing by, she seized her opportunity.

    Jesus knew someone had touched the hem of his garment, even though the crowd pressed in, surrounding him. She didn’t back down. Her desperation brought her to this place, and she was determined to see it through. She bowed down and told Him everything. “Then he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace,’” (Luke 8:48). The instant she touched him, she experienced the miracle of healing.

     

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  • 10. Tabitha

    10. Tabitha

    “Turning to the body he said, ‘Get up, Tabitha.’ And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive” (Acts 9:40-41).

    Tabitha dedicated her life to caring for others. She made clothes for widows and helped the poor. When she became sick and died, those she served gathered around her, mourning her death. But some of her fellow believers heard that Peter was nearby, and they went to find him. When Peter prayed for her, God breathed life into Tabitha. This devoted follower and friend experienced the miracle of new life. Her story became a testimony to everyone of God’s power and mercy.

     

    Kristine Brown is a communicator at heart who teaches about God’s powerful, relatable Word. She is the author of Over It. Conquering Comparison to Live Out God’s Plan and founder of the non-profit organization, More Than Yourself, Inc. Kristine writes about her God-story and helps others discover their own at www.kristinebrown.net. Connect with Kristine on Facebook and Twitter. 

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