What Makes God Wonder?
The prophet Isaiah wrote, “And He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor: Therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him; And His righteousness, it sustained Him.” 59:16. There are so many things that make us wonder. We behold the original Seven Wonders of the World. We wonder at sounds and sights that go beyond our understanding. We wonder at a raging storm, an earthquake, an erupting volcano, and even at a newborn baby. We wonder at the Great Works of God. “I will remember the works of the Lord: Surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: Who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: Thou hast declared thy strength among the people. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph.” Psalm 77:11-14. We behold the wonders of His six days of creation. We behold the wonders of His great love: the Incarnation, the Cross, and the Resurrection. We behold the over three hundred prophecies of fulfilled prophecies about Jesus the Christ, the Son of God. However, what makes God wonder?
Does God wonder at the passiveness of His people? Isaiah tells us in Isaiah 59:2-14 about the terrible moral and spiritual conditions in Isaiah’s time. It was a time of violence and dishonesty. “For your hands are defiled with blood, And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue hath muttered perverseness.” (Verse 3). It was a time of injustice and crooked dealings. “None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: They trust in vanity, and speak lies; They conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.” (Verse 4). It was a time when evil seemed to be triumphing over good. “They hatch cockatrice’ eggs, And weave the spider’s web: He that eateth of their eggs dieth,
And that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. Their webs shall not become garments, Neither shall they cover themselves with their works: Their works are works of iniquity, And the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood: Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; Wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not;
And there is no judgment in their goings: They have made them crooked paths: Whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.” (Verses 5-8). Do any of these things sound familiar to US? Even confusion reigned among the people. “We roar all like bears, And mourn sore like doves: We look for judgment, but there is none; For salvation, but it is far off from us.” (Verse 11). There was no loud public outcry against these SINS could be heard.
Does God wonder at the persecution of His people who stand for the truth? “Yea, truth faileth;
And he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: And the Lord saw it, and it displeased him That there was no judgment.” (Verse 15). If one stands against the evil, they often place themselves in jeopardy. Remember the prophets of the Old Testament. They were persecuted because they stood for what was right. Look at the example of Jesus. He suffered for righteousness. His pure life turned the Pharisees and Sadducees of His day against Him. Even those who claimed to be righteous crucified the righteous One. The Holy Spirit said, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 1 Timothy 3:12. Even the apostle Paul suffered for serving the Lord. 2 Corinthians 11:23-30.
Does God wonder at the prayerlessness of His people in sinful situations? Back to verse sixteen which states, “He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor.” The Word of God shows intercession of those in desperate situations has been a mark of heroes of the faith. Abraham interceded for Lot and those in sinful in Sodom. Genesis 18:21-25. Moses interceded for Israel when they deserved judgment. Exodus 32:30-35. Jeremiah interceded with tears over the sin of God’s people. Jeremiah 14. Our Lord, intercede for those who were crucifying Him. Luke 23:34. The Lord’s church interceded for Peter when he was in prison. Acts 12. Christians ought to follow the example of those listed and pray fervently for their elders, deacons, teachers, and preachers.
Where are those who will speak out against sin? Where are those who will stand for truth in spite of the cost? Where are those who should be praying for us in these changing times?
Bobby D. Gayton