Today's post is by our guest writer Lucas Ward, a continuing series on the descriptions of God.
Joel 2:26 “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame."
Joel declares that God has dealt wondrously with His people. In doing so he is merely echoing his patriarch for Israel, in blessing his twelve sons, declares that the Almighty "will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that crouches beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb." (Gen. 49:25). Our God is declared to be a God who pours forth blessings upon His people, who deals wondrously with them. So, let's examine how God deals wondrously with us:
Isaiah 42:5 "Thus saith God Jehovah. . . he that gives breath unto the people . . ." Our first blessing is our existence. God created us and gave us life. Without Him, we would not exist.
Deut. 8:18 "for it is He who gives us power to get wealth" While we are not promised millionaire status as servants of God, all our physical blessings come from Him. We are, in fact, warned not to rely on earthly riches, but in the same breath Paul teaches to rely on a God who "richly provides us with everything to enjoy". (1 Tim. 6:17) While Solomonic wealth is rarely in view, God wants His people to enjoy earthly blessings so long as that doesn't interfere with their service to Him. He even teaches us to profit (Is. 48:17). Now that is a business professor I'd pay attention to!
Ps. 68:35 "Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!" God not only gives us life and the ability to enjoy physical blessings, He gives us the strength necessary to be successful in the world. There are burdens in this life. There are challenges to slog through. Despite His blessings, things are rarely easy, but He gives us the strength to meet these things and remain blameless before Him (Ps. 18:32).
Ecc. 2:26 "For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy . . ." God provides not only the strength to face the world, but the wisdom to handle its challenges sensibly. In fact, a major theme of the Bible is that God is the source of wisdom. Job 28 declares that while man can find anything else he looks for, true wisdom is hidden with God and only comes from Him. (The entire book of Job pivots on this declaration.) The first nine chapters of Proverbs detail the benefits of wisdom and repeatedly declare God as its source. James tells us that if we lack in wisdom, we merely need to ask God, who gives generously. God pours forth His wisdom upon His people.
When counting the blessings you have received from God, when was the last time you thought of laughter? Yet in Gen. 21:6 Sarah declares "God has made laughter for me". She is rejoicing in her son, the son of her old age and was laughing at the absurd wonderfulness of him. Who gave that to her? God. This concept is not limited to Sarah, either. Rom. 15:13 tells us that we can be filled with joy through God. Chapter 14 verse 17 tells us that the kingdom of God is joy. The psalmists repeatedly declare that service to God is joy (Ps. 43:4; 47:1; 66:1; 68:3; 84:2). Conversely, God takes note when His people are unhappy and acts to comfort them (2 Cor. 7:6).
In Gen. 48:15 Israel declares that God has been his shepherd. David says the same in the famous 23rd psalm. In the Palestine region being a shepherd was much less about feeding the sheep than in leading them safely to the pastures and water sources and protecting them from attack. The shepherd also acted as veterinarian, treating the sick and injured sheep. This fits in perfectly with how God is portrayed: He looks after His own (Gen. 16:13), He bears us up, carrying us when we can't go farther (Ps. 68:19), and as the Good Shepherd, He knows His sheep, laying down His life to protect them. (John 10)
And I could continue. The ways in which God deals wondrously with His people are innumerable. He blesses us with all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3), He justifies us, washing away our sins (Rom. 8:33). He provides peace (Phil. 4:7) and hope (Rom. 5:2). He is unquestionably the God who has dealt wondrously with His people.
Isa. 41:13 "For I, Jehovah thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."
Lucas Ward
Joel 2:26 “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame."
Joel declares that God has dealt wondrously with His people. In doing so he is merely echoing his patriarch for Israel, in blessing his twelve sons, declares that the Almighty "will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that crouches beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb." (Gen. 49:25). Our God is declared to be a God who pours forth blessings upon His people, who deals wondrously with them. So, let's examine how God deals wondrously with us:
Isaiah 42:5 "Thus saith God Jehovah. . . he that gives breath unto the people . . ." Our first blessing is our existence. God created us and gave us life. Without Him, we would not exist.
Deut. 8:18 "for it is He who gives us power to get wealth" While we are not promised millionaire status as servants of God, all our physical blessings come from Him. We are, in fact, warned not to rely on earthly riches, but in the same breath Paul teaches to rely on a God who "richly provides us with everything to enjoy". (1 Tim. 6:17) While Solomonic wealth is rarely in view, God wants His people to enjoy earthly blessings so long as that doesn't interfere with their service to Him. He even teaches us to profit (Is. 48:17). Now that is a business professor I'd pay attention to!
Ps. 68:35 "Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!" God not only gives us life and the ability to enjoy physical blessings, He gives us the strength necessary to be successful in the world. There are burdens in this life. There are challenges to slog through. Despite His blessings, things are rarely easy, but He gives us the strength to meet these things and remain blameless before Him (Ps. 18:32).
Ecc. 2:26 "For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy . . ." God provides not only the strength to face the world, but the wisdom to handle its challenges sensibly. In fact, a major theme of the Bible is that God is the source of wisdom. Job 28 declares that while man can find anything else he looks for, true wisdom is hidden with God and only comes from Him. (The entire book of Job pivots on this declaration.) The first nine chapters of Proverbs detail the benefits of wisdom and repeatedly declare God as its source. James tells us that if we lack in wisdom, we merely need to ask God, who gives generously. God pours forth His wisdom upon His people.
When counting the blessings you have received from God, when was the last time you thought of laughter? Yet in Gen. 21:6 Sarah declares "God has made laughter for me". She is rejoicing in her son, the son of her old age and was laughing at the absurd wonderfulness of him. Who gave that to her? God. This concept is not limited to Sarah, either. Rom. 15:13 tells us that we can be filled with joy through God. Chapter 14 verse 17 tells us that the kingdom of God is joy. The psalmists repeatedly declare that service to God is joy (Ps. 43:4; 47:1; 66:1; 68:3; 84:2). Conversely, God takes note when His people are unhappy and acts to comfort them (2 Cor. 7:6).
In Gen. 48:15 Israel declares that God has been his shepherd. David says the same in the famous 23rd psalm. In the Palestine region being a shepherd was much less about feeding the sheep than in leading them safely to the pastures and water sources and protecting them from attack. The shepherd also acted as veterinarian, treating the sick and injured sheep. This fits in perfectly with how God is portrayed: He looks after His own (Gen. 16:13), He bears us up, carrying us when we can't go farther (Ps. 68:19), and as the Good Shepherd, He knows His sheep, laying down His life to protect them. (John 10)
And I could continue. The ways in which God deals wondrously with His people are innumerable. He blesses us with all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3), He justifies us, washing away our sins (Rom. 8:33). He provides peace (Phil. 4:7) and hope (Rom. 5:2). He is unquestionably the God who has dealt wondrously with His people.
Isa. 41:13 "For I, Jehovah thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."
Lucas Ward
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