Do a quick search on google or check your dictionary for the meaning of the word “Wonder’… and what do you find? Let me put down some of the suggestions that I have.
1. : to feel surprise or amazement.
2. : to have curiosity or doubt.
– eg. I wondered about that
And the Merriam Webster dictionary has the following definitions and synonym:
1a: a cause of astonishment or admiration : MARVEL
– eg. it’s a wonder you weren’t killed
– eg. the pyramid is a wonder to behold
b: MIRACLE
2: the quality of exciting amazed admiration
3a: rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one’s experience
b: a feeling of doubt or uncertainty
From the definitions and synonyms above, we have some clarification of what people mean when they say wonder working God. The appellation simply presents the unique quality and experience of God as one who brings forth amazement, surprise, astonishment, admiration and exciting surprise. Yes, this is a positive feeling that takes us out from a state of despair or setbacks. But not just this…
A child is born to us!
A son is given to us!
And he will be our ruler.
He will be called, “Wonderful[a] Counselor,”
“Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,”
“Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6-7
The wonderful works of God also stimulates doubt, confusion, and uncertainty in many people. What is seen or experienced is too good to be true. Wonder often breeds forth the feeling of impossibility; no mean feat; Something outstanding and unbelievable.
Now, another beautiful word that denotes wonderful works is miracle. Yes miracle and not magic. And when we call God a wonder working God we mean he does amazing and astounding things mysteriously and miraculously. “God of wonder” is one of the attributes God is known by. Through the cause of history God’s wonderful works have been seen and experienced… In creation, in nature, in our lives and the lives of others.
For today let us try and point out some of the wonderful works of God;
The universe; the sun, moon and stars… for light and all forms of light.
The earth, tress, plants, for all vegetation..
The Ocean, all water bodies, and all aquatic animals and vegetations in water…
All animals on land in their different species, shapes, sizes and colours…
People of the earth, every tribe, creed, race, you and of course me….
We won’t forget sunshine or rain, we won’t forget the storm nor lightning… for the air we breathe; can we have the same experience in other planets?
And most especially, we won’t forget LIFE… the miracle of life is still a wonder… all forms of life on earth have a source from God the creator. It is not what can be manufactured. It is not the air (oxygen/cabondioxide) that brings life… there is more to it. It is just a wonder of God!
I look at the ant and marvel at the wonders of God in such a creature. It is intelligent in its own form. it doesn’t have complex brain structure as scientist claim to be the necessity for survival, (Does it even have a brain?) but the ant performs outstanding functions, has its government, army and culture. Different ants with different practices. I am marveled. I ask, do they breathe? How do they learn? How do they adapt? We have studied much about ants and still can’t tell it all. It’s merely a wonder and has nothing to do with evolution… it is; “the essence of God radiating in that simple creature”. It is a wonderful work of God.
Much of the wonderful works of God is often been sought not in what he has made in creation but in the manifestation of our day to day lives. This could be erroneous. We need to acknowledge the wonderful works in creation as well as the miracles and mysterious hand of God we have experienced throughout our life. God did not stop his wonderful works at creation; they are evident everyday in our lives; believer or an unbeliever.
Stories of miracles run through the course of the bible whether it is the old testament or the new testaments. Let me juggle your memory.
The story of Moses, his call, his encounter with Pharaoh and the exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt through the desert can be found in the Book of Exodus.
The stories of the Judges, the Prophets Elijah and Elisha gives a lot of amazement and wonders of God to behold. Read 1 Kings 17 to 2 Kings 9 These are very exciting stories that still creates amazement in our lives till today.
Then the story of the exile of the Israelites into captivity; we move to the Book of Daniel and then the return of the Israelites to Israel. All these have the finger of God upon them and reminds us that God is a wonder working God.
We fast forward to the story of Jesus in the New Testament and that of the Apostles in Acts of the Apostles, we can not deny that the awesomeness of the works of God make us marvel.
And today, and even tomorrow, God remains a wonder working God! We experience Him each day. The only challenge is that many have failed to acknowledge the wonders of God. Many adamantly refuse to accept or appreciate that what they experience is the work of God.
Many have experienced mysterious healings but have not acknowledged God; but would quickly acknowledge that mysterious and inexplicable ailments have metaphysical or evil undertone.
At baptism, someone experiences the unique gift and communion with God but this is not appreciated or accepted with the seriousness and weight of the rite. However, a child taken to a shrine for a sacrifice creates more panic and it is treated with more seriousness than if the child was baptized in the church. Even the calling of the name of God does not evoke the fear it ought to have than calling the name of a deity. What a miss!
In conclusion, the God of wonder is with us and he keeps performing works of wonders. All we need do is acknowledge Him and the works He has already done in our lives. Then reach out to Him to perform more wonders in our lives. With time you would evidently testify that He is a wonder working God.