wonder working...

i'm sure you've heard this: "i wonder what God's up to." or, "i wonder what God's doing." i sure have. and i've said it dozens of times...always when i don't understand...when i'm questioning a situation...basically, when i'm wondering why things aren't going the way i planned in the timeframe i had in mind.

so often we have a situation where we think we know what is best, or when is best. maybe i should talk in the first person. so often i have a situation that i don't understand, and yet i think i know what's best and when's best. in my mind, i can see perfectly how something should go and what the result should be. if this would take place, followed by that, then if this would happen, and if a, b, and c occur, then d will be next, and everything will fall into place. from my particular vantage point, i think that it's as easy as 1, 2, 3...that if it would just go like so, because i have it all figured out like so, i'll be able to pat myself on the back and proclaim that i called it like i saw it, and my pithy analysis and swift interception are what brought about the change or desired outcome.

the other day i was thinking about how i often approach God with a problem...a problem i already have solved, if He would just do what i want. a phrase popped in my head: "the Lord works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform"...which isn't in the bible, by the way...oh, the idea is there, but not this actual expression. i know because i went looking for the reference. the concept, however, is all through the bible, and the phrase is an accurate assessment of what God does for me time and time again. when He responds in a way i didn't anticipate, it's because He's mysteriously working to perform a wonder that will bring me out of or through my problem, and in a way that He'll get the credit...but, it's His wonder...not mine...you might remember the old hymn, "there's power, power, wonder working power...well, it's His wonder working power, and He's waiting for the perfect moment to perform His wonder :-)

bottom line, when it's not going the way i thought it should, it's probably because there was waaaaaay too much of my own doubtful wondering and limited wonder working imposed on a situation that God wanted to be His wonder and work to perform. sometimes i need to take a step back, take my hands off, and really, just stop wondering why God's not doing it my way, and just let Him work a wonder...in my life, in my future, in my family, in my church, in my victories, in my failures, in what i have to offer, in what i have left...


job 9:10 says that God "does great things past finding out, and wonders without number." in isaiah 29:14 God says, "I will proceed to do a marvellous work...even a marvellous work and a wonder." don't worry; God's up to something in your life and situation. chances are, you won't be able to figure it out, or even count the wonderful and marvellous ways in which He responds. the key is to not worry in all your wondering: "don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. then you will experience God’s peace" (phil. 4:6-7).


here's the summary, the way i see it, using a verse that one of my pastors used in a powerful message yesterday (a link that i will add here once our webmaster makes it available as an archived resource): "a thing was revealed...and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long" (dan. 10:1). God's "I shall" and "I will" in and for your life might be slow, but it's sure. don't let your wondering be fraught with worry. remember that your timing might not be God's timing, and that God's true to His Word in and for your life. He's working it out for your good (rom. 8:28). you don't have to wonder or worry if He's working on it. He is.


your "thing" is true; don't doubt it or worry about it. let your wondering be with anticipation and "with bated breath" expectation for the work God's about to perform in you and for you. it might be a mystery to you how God's going to do it, and indeed be "past finding out," but wait for it...the marvellous work and wonder and "thing" with your name on it is just around the corner...