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I am as a
wonder unto many but Thou art my strong refuge
Psa 71:7
The Hebrew word
for “wonder”
means, “a cause of astonishment.” God’s dealings with the Psalmist
David had been such that people noticed them as something unusual,
in the same way that miracles were noticed by people.
Through all the changing circumstances of
life, God had been his strong refuge. And so he wanted every
day to be crammed with His praise and glory.
In the case of David he was a wonder unto
many because of his:
- slaying the lion and bear,
- conquering the Philistine,
- escaping the fury of Saul,
- being raised to the throne of
Israel,
- enduring such uncommon trials and
afflictions,
- and experiencing such wonderful
deliverances.
The disciples
were seen as a
wonder unto many for basically
they were unlearned and ignorant men -
Act 4:13.
Yet
the
Apostles felt they were being made a
spectacle to the world,
1Co 4:9.
Paul pictures them as
people thrown into the arena with wild beasts, while
men and
angels look on. Many
wondered at them.
Today, people
might say to us, "I wish I had your faith" because they see
something different in us. The secret though is:
Thou art my strong
refuge -
If we are strong, it is because of God;
if we are safe, He is our
strong refuge
that shelters us; if we are calm, it is
because we have peace with God, and
the peace of God keeps our hearts and minds
(Phil
4:7). It is not the believer that
is a wonder, but God.
If when we have
afflictions we lean heavily upon God, and are joyful in the Lord,
then people will notice and we can pray that they will give Him the
praise. Remember Paul and the thorn in the flesh,
2Co_12:9.
Spurgeon tells
this story: During an earthquake, the inhabitants of a small village
were very much alarmed, but at the same time they were surprised at
the calmness and apparent joy of an old lady whom they all knew. At
length one of them, addressing the old lady, said,
"Ma'am, are you not afraid?"
"No," said the
woman, "I rejoice to know that I have a God who can shake the
world." She was
as
a wonder to many.
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