Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me." So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people." Acts 12:7-11
This passage records a wonderful miracle of deliverance. Let us be reminded that miracles are miraculous. That should be obvious, but what does that mean? Here are a few definitions of the word miraculous.
Things that are miraculous are “highly improbable, extraordinary, or supernatural.” In other words, things that are miraculous are not commonplace. This is instructive since we are sometimes tempted to call things miraculous that commonly happen. Every birth of a child, though most pleasing, and for which we give thanks, is natural rather than supernatural. Every recovery from illness is not supernatural since we naturally recover more often than we do not.
The adjective miraculous comes from the Latin word miraculum, meaning "object of wonder." The truly miraculous causes us to be surprised and somewhat in awe.
I particularly like this definition: “occurring through divine or supernatural intervention, or manifesting such power.” I like it because it reminds us that miracles are God’s work, not “good luck.” The truly miraculous should point us to God!
Another definition adds that miracles “bring very welcome consequences.” That may often be true, but not always. That Peter was miraculously delivered from prison (a most welcome consequence) but guards (v.19) were executed (a most unwelcome consequence). Or think of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. That was a miracle with a welcome consequence. But remember also that the Egyptians were drowned as a result.
My point in all of this? Miracles happen and they should point us to God. But they do not happen all the time, or else they are not miracles.