ENCOUNTERING GOD’S WONDERS

“Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, DOING WONDERS” – Exodus 15:11

Great awe and reverence are our instinctive responses to ENCOUNTERING GOD’S WONDERS: “Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, DOING WONDERS” (Exo.15:11). An Encounter is a divine appointment with God. It is a specific and divinely-ordained moment or season when God "shows up" on our behalf. It is marked by His Presence, His Power, His Deliverance, and most certainly, His Wonders. When we encounter God, we are forever transformed by the experience. When we encounter God’s Wonders, we become a Wonder to our world!

Today’s meditation text contains Moses’ Song of Testimony and Triumph after he led the children of Israel to cross the Red Sea on dry ground. Prior to this marvellous manifestation, he had assured the people: “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace” (Exo.14: 13-14). The Word of Faith preceding the manifestation of God’s Wonder! God often stirs up our Faith to prepare us for His Wonders. Joshua spoke likewise prior to crossing the Jordan: “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you” (Jos.3:5).

Let’s meditate on few instances of encounters with God’s Wonders, and the benefits that accrued.

Abraham encountered God and His Wonder-working Word, and received the assignment of raising a people through whom God’s blessing would come to all the earth: “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen.12:2-3).

Isaac encountered God and received divine direction that brought him mind-boggling wealth in the same land where he had been experiencing famine: “Then the Lord appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you” (Gen.26:2). The result: “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous” (Gen.26:12-13). When we encounter God, He will reveal to us hidden riches in dark places that will make us prosperous.

Jacob, after wrestling with the angel at Peniel said, “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved” (Gen.32:30). The transforming power of that encounter led to Jacob's change of name. He thereafter walked with a limp as a reminder of the night he wrestled with the angel of the Lord.

Solomon encountered God and received a blank cheque: “At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” (1Kg.3:5). Solomon asked God for a discerning heart to lead God's people, but God gave him this plus Wisdom, Wealth, “riches and honour” (1Kgs.3:6-13).

Isaiah encountered God and got a revelation of God's Holiness and a dynamic transformation of life and ministry (Isa.6: 1-8). Jeremiah encountered God and received a divine touch on his tongue to become God’s Prophetic mouthpiece (Jer.1:4-10).

In the New Testament, people were radically transformed through encounters with Jesus: sinners became saints; the sick were healed; tormented minds were liberated; blind eyes opened; and the dead were raised to life. There is truly no end to what can happen when we encounter God. Peter encountered Christ and the reed became a rock (Mt.16:17-18). Saul the persecutor encountered Jesus and was transformed to Paul, the apostle (Acts 9).

Although God usually initiates encounters with His Wonders, we have vital parts to play in preparing, making ourselves available to Him, and being willing to cooperate with His Will for our lives. Beloved, it’s time to prepare ourselves for life-changing encounters with God, His Word and His Wonders.