My husband and I have been reading through the Bible together and recently finished up the Gospels. (In full disclosure we are behind schedule, but we will finish!)
Anyway, have you ever noticed how those who encountered Christ were struck with awe and left standing in amazement? If you haven’t, I encourage you to read through the Gospels again. Words like “awe” and “wonder” and “marvel” and “amazed” followed Him nearly everywhere He went.
Where is the Wonder?
Sometimes I feel I’ve lost my sense of wonder.
Or is it, perhaps, that “wonder” has become for me one of those undervalued and overused words we mentioned in last week’s post?
In Search of Wonder
As followers of Christ, we must be intentional about nurturing a sense of wonder and discover God as WONDER-FULL!
And… as followers of Christ, where should this lead us? Well, of course, to the Bible.
The Scriptures are God’s Word to us. And if we will take the time to open it and dig into its pages, we will find His magnificent glory splashed across every page. From the details of the Creation in the beginning of Genesis to the peels of lightning and thunder and creatures beyond description at the closing of Revelation, we are given glimpses. Glimpses of God’s glory where we will find wonder unlike any we’ve known.
Indeed Our God is Wonderful
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall upon his shoulder, and his name shall be calledWonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. –Isaiah 9:6
One of the beautiful names given to Our Lord is the name Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6). The word “Wonderful” as used here is a noun, and in the Scripture, it is only used of God. It is never used in association with man.
Today, we use the word “wonderful” as an adjective. In fact, if you look the word up in an English dictionary, you will only find it listed as an adjective. Perhaps some of our wonder has been lost in part because we ascribe it to God as an adjective. No, it’s not just that He is wonderful. His name is Wonderful. He is Wonder.
In the Old Testament, you will see the word “wonder” often used to point to the miracles or acts of God.
Exodus 15:11 - “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
Psalm 77:11 - I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
Psalm 77:14 - You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.
Psalm 89:5 - Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
Psalm 119:129 - Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.
Isaiah 25:1 - O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
Daniel 12:6 - And someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?”
Each use of the word is speaking to the extraordinary acts of God. Acts that defy explanation and inspire amazement. Ones that are supernatural and beyond our capacity to understand.
His name is Wonderful. He is Wonderful.
Regain the Wonder.
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4 comments
Patsy Burnette
I am currently working on a book about the names of God and what they mean, mostly from an OT perspective of course. But there’s so much about the awe and wonder of Jesus and His name found in the NT. Great Post, Deborah! Thanks for sharing.
Pinned & tweeted.
Thank you for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Valerie Riese
He IS wonder… I love that. As a lifelong Christian, I know I take the wonder of Jesus for granted. I think wonder and appreciation go hand in hand. Thank you for this lovely post and for linking up with Grace & Truth this week!
karentfriday
This is beautiful. I’ve always loved that the Christ-child was called Wonderful, but I’ve never thought about how in the English language it’s only an adjective. The noun is set aside for the only One worthy to have that name. Wow!
Laurie
I love the concept of reading through the Bible with your hubby. What a wonderful practice! I too seem to have lost my wonder at times. Thank you for the good reminders to rekindle that sense of awe in the spirit and name of the Lord.