May 11, 2007

The God of Wonders

Psalm 40:1-5

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done ... too many to declare. Psalm 40:5

— 

A few years ago when we visited the Philippines, a missionary couple took us to a remote village to call on a family they had led to the Lord. Two grandparents, a 37-year-old mother who was dying of cancer, and five children were living in a house a little smaller than a one-stall garage. It was pitch black inside.

The missionary couple went to the mother, who was lying on a cot. They read a psalm, prayed with her, and started singing "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." We joined in, and as we sang, I felt that we were witnessing one of God's many wonders that David talks about in Psalm 40. Surrounded by darkness, poverty, and approaching death, we were reminded of God's grace that is present when we least expect it.

Every day around the globe the Lord God is busy doing many wonders through people who tell about him. And when we sometimes wonder if our efforts, our resources, our people, are making any difference, God himself gives the answer by showing us glimpses of those wonders.

Let's thank God together today for the wonders he is doing through all who serve the church worldwide and through the prayers and gifts of God's people.

Let's thank God for his promise that our labors in the Lord's mission will never be in vain.

Father, we thank you for showing us some of your wonders in many different ways. Thank you for the people you use to show your grace in unexpected places. In Jesus, Amen.

About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld

Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.

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