Ihave always wondered how a person could witness the raw manifestation of God and still not believe. Imagine the people of Israel experiencing daily — sometimes hourly — doses of strange miracles and wonders, yet still referring to themselves as grasshoppers.

Reading through Exodus, God was literally in front of the Israelites, leading them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.” — Exodus 13:21

For forty whole years, their clothes grew as they grew and never wore out. Their sandals didn’t tear or fade (meanwhile, these days, a short trek and the sole of your shoe ti je!).

“And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.” — Deuteronomy 29:5

They most likely didn’t need to wash or bathe as frequently, and the normal process of decay didn’t occur. Miracles were happening left, right, and center. What an experience, I must say!

Yet, despite all these mind-boggling manifestations, when it was time to attack the people of Jericho, you would expect them to consider it a piece of cake, seeing all God had done for them daily. Instead, they saw themselves as inferior — as ants, as slaves. The same indoctrination Pharaoh had instilled in them during their time in Egypt still shaped their thinking. They would rather return to slavery under the same Pharaoh they had seen drown just a few episodes ago. What a dilemma!

As much as we may want to criticize the Israelites, we’re not so different. The years of indoctrination in Egypt felt more real to them than the daily miracles they witnessed.

Rev. Sam Adeyemi recently spoke about how deeply ingrained the indoctrination of poverty is in Nigerians. He referenced the crisis in our educational system during the last WAEC exams, where students were writing late into the night under candlelight and lanterns. He remarked that if this happened elsewhere, the entire nation would shut down. But here, it’s just another day of survival.

There’s no doubt that miracles are wonderful, and we pray to experience them. But greater than miracles is doctrine (our belief system). Doctrine shapes your perspective, your experience, and how you interpret events.

God bless Pastor Dami for always leading us to declare before the Word:

“Doctrine is more powerful than your experience because doctrine can change your experience.
Doctrine is more powerful than miracles because doctrine can create an atmosphere for miracles.
Doctrine is more powerful than dogma because doctrine can change the heart and transform the mind.
Today, I will receive sound doctrine. I have no itchy ears.
I stay grounded in sound doctrine. I love sound doctrine.
Why do you love sound doctrine so much? Because I’m a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I’m a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ!”

(Hope you found your 3 neighbors while declaring that 😊)

Back to my point: we’re all already indoctrinated with some kind of belief system, and that’s what shapes how we interpret life. One person sees a glass of water as half-empty, while another sees it as half-full. Where one sees risks and aborts, another sees opportunities and presses forward.

I believe this is why God prefers we experience Him through His Word rather than solely through physical manifestations. On the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35), Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples by expounding the Scriptures, showing them how the Scriptures foretold all they had just experienced. He chose to reveal the Word before revealing Himself physically.

Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin once said that while many ministers focused on healing and miracles, he chose to focus on teaching — because after all the signs and wonders are gone, what stays with people is the teaching. And years after his death, his teachings still impact millions — far beyond those who ever saw him in person. Meanwhile, most who experienced those miracles are long gone, with just a few stories remaining.

Of course, I’m not saying we shouldn’t desire miracles — we should, and we will experience many. But Jesus would rather we stay in the Word.

As babes, we ought to desire the Word.

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” — 1 Peter 2:2

As growing believers, the Word will bring us into mature manhood.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” — 2 Timothy 3:16–17

The Word is what guarantees us an inheritance.

“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” — Acts 20:32

Don’t let social media algorithms, life’s ups and downs, or the rollercoaster of lack and abundance shape your mindset. Don’t let these things indoctrinate you. Rather, let the Word dwell in you richly.

Let the Word lead you, guide you, and interpret your experience, and you will see yourself walk in good success. Joshua 1:8.

Have a blessed week.

Mayowa Oladunjoye.

Push Buttons is a weekly devotional of The Powerpoint Tribe.