How does wonder describe our response to God’s activity in the world? - Wonder - TouchPoints

Exodus 7:3“But I will make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.”

Exodus 34:10The Lord replied, “Listen, I am making a covenant with you in the presence of all your people. I will perform miracles that have never been performed anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the Lord—the awesome power I will display for you.”

God committed himself to creating wonders that would stand as a testimony to his participation in world events.

Deuteronomy 6:22“The Lord did miraculous signs and wonders before our eyes, dealing terrifying blows against Egypt and Pharaoh and all his people.”

Joshua 3:5Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.”

Faced with impossible circumstances and obstacles, God’s people were reminded that God could overcome these things by an unexpected display of his power. Being assured of God’s actions without being told how God will work is sure to create wonder when God’s power is made evident.

Luke 1:65-66Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.

The birth of John the Baptist to an elderly childless couple after months of his father being mute made the neighbors wonder, and their wonder provoked questions about God’s plans.

Luke 5:17-26One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!”

Sometimes God is willing to do a visible wonder in order to demonstrate that he can also do an even greater unseen wonder. Making a paralyzed man walk is an awe-inspiring action, but forgiving his sins turns out to be an even greater act that only God is able to do.

Luke 24:41Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”

Jesus’ sudden appearance to the disciples the evening following the resurrection provoked them first to terror, then to wonder. Even his multiple assurances before his death that he would rise from the grave did not overcome their practical doubts until Jesus appeared to them in physical form. The greater wonder was Jesus’ resurrection from the dead; the lesser, his confirming appearance to many witnesses.

Romans 1:18-23God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

When we deliberately turn away from God who is evident in all he has made, we are actually turning away from wonder. We are choosing to seek alternative but lesser explanations for anything and everything that points to God. We are fools in a foolish pursuit to a deadly end.