28 January 2024 - The God Who Works Wonders

Psalm 77:14(NASB) You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples.

God is a God of wonders. When we say that God is a God of wonders, we mean that He is a God who carries out miraculous works. The Lord’s wonders declare His absolute control over events, people, and powers, and reveals His presence among His people. Both the Old and New Testament showcase God’s wondrous acts. In the Old Testament, two Hebrew words are translated to wonder in English: mopheth and pala. Mopheth means a splendid or remarkable work or miracle.

Deuteronomy 26:8(ESV) And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror, with signs and wonders.

Pala means wondrous works or marvellous deeds and frequently appears in the book of Psalms. Psalm 75:1(ESV) We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.

The New Testament also gives reasons why God is called the God of wonders, using the Greek words thaumasios meaning wonderful things, megaleios meaning signs and wonders, and teras meaning miracles or mighty works.

Wonderful Things - Matthew 21:15(ESV) But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant.

Signs and Wonders - 2 Corinthians 12:12(ESV) The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.

Miracles - 2 Corinthians 12:12(ESV) as above and also Joshua 3:5(NKJV) And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”

All miracles have important authenticating characteristics. They occur by the power of God invoked by the command, or by the prayer, of the person to whom they are attributed. That is, they are not random events of chance that may occur by themselves. So, the miracles of Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, Paul, Peter occurred at their prayers and requests.

Miracles are God’s providence for man. The primary purpose and final cause of any godly miracle is twofold: the manifestation of God’s glory, and the good of man.