The Wonder of God

“Have you lost your wonder of who God is?” This was the opening question at our sermon on Sunday. With December upon us, many people are planning family gatherings, preparing menus, and maybe even buying gifts for their Christmas celebrations. In the midst of all this excitement, I am reminded that the wonder of this child given to us is the greatest gift of all. He is our Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

My husband recently went cycling at the Knysna Heads in South Africa. The Heads are two cliffs that separate the Knysna Lagoon from the sea beyond. They are found along the magnificent Garden Route which forms part of the South African coastline. Standing at the top of these cliffs, you are quite easily overwhelmed by the sheer power of the waters crashing and surging powerfully through the passage between these two cliffs, while staring out over the vast ocean and outlying areas.

It was at one of these viewing points, where my husband noticed a small plaque secured on to a rock with the following scripture engraved on it: ‘Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty’ (Psalm 93:4, ESV). He sent me a photo of the plaque and the surrounding views, and because I had been there years ago, I could picture the might and sound of the crashing waves. The words of Psalm 93:4 became more than just another verse - they became real and reminded me of the wonder of who our God is.

He is the same God in whom David trusted when Saul was trying to kill him (1 Samuel 19-24). Many of the psalms were written by David during the time that he was fleeing from Saul. In each one, David turns to the Lord, pouring his heart out before Him and looking to Him for protection and guidance. One example is in Psalm 142 when David was hiding in the cave (1 Samuel 22): ‘I cry out to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy … I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living” (verses 1 & 5).

When the Lord delivered him from all his enemies and from the hand of Saul, David sang to the Lord the beautiful words of Psalm 18: ‘I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold … The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded” (verses 1, 2, 13). David knew who his God was and often reminded himself of His might and power.

This is the God we too serve: the One who is above all (Psalm 113:4-6), the One who is victorious (John 16:33), the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, Beginning and the End (Revelation 22:13).