Wonderwall

by Donnie Bostwick

January 1, 2020

1139

One song that has always caused me to stop and listen vividly to is this 1995 Oasis hit. My first question was what in the world is a Wonderwall. The word “wonderwall” means “the person you constantly find yourself thinking about”.

Let’s take a look at a few of the lyrics!

I don’t believe that anybody Feels the way I do about you now

And all the roads we have to walk are winding

There are many things that I Would like to say to you but I don’t know how

Because maybe, you’re gonna be the one that saves me

And after all, you’re my wonderwall

I said maybe, you’re gonna be the one that saves me

Is it just me or is this song and so many other popular songs over the years a cry out for help? Many thought that Noel Gallagher wrote the song about his then girlfriend and future wife Meg Matthews, but instead Noel says, “It’s a song about an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself.”

Noel and so many are close, but miss the mark. There is a friend, that is closer than a brother. This friend is just waiting for you to call out to Him, so He can save you from yourself! He is far from imaginary though and He has already paid the price on the cross for each of us. We just have to cry out!

Whether we know it or not, both sinners and saints find themselves thinking about their Wonderwall! Someone who can save them.

The Beetles’ John Lennon’s admitted that his 1965 song “Help” was a cry for help by the bigger than life singer. Just two weeks before his death, a sobbing Elvis Presley told his stepmother, ‘I’m in terrible pain’ — a cry for help Dee Presley says will haunt her until she dies. ‘I could hardly understand him because he was crying,’ she proclaimed.

Fame simply can not fill the void left in a person. The only thing or person that can fill that void is Jesus through the Holy Spirit! God has a desire to be your Wonderwall. He desires to show the world His signs and wonders through each of us!

The Lord’s wonders declare His absolute control over events, people, and powers, and reveal His presence among His people.

Both the Old and New Testament showcase God’s wondrous acts. In the Old Testament, two Hebrew words are translated “wonder” in English: mopheth and pala. Mopheth means “a splendid or remarkable work” or “miracle.” The term is often associated with the “signs and wonders” God performed through Moses during the exodus from Egypt: “So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders” (Deuteronomy 26:8).

Pala means “wondrous works” or “marvelous deeds” and frequently appears in the psalms: “We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds” (Psalm 75:1, ESV). These marvelous works by the God of wonders are unique displays of divine power that go far beyond human ability and power.

The New Testament also gives reasons why God is called the God of wonders, using the Greek words thaumasios, megaleios, and teras. In Matthew 21:15, the miracles of Jesus are called “wonderful things” (thaumasios). In Acts 5:12, Luke speaks of many “signs and wonders” (megaleios) performed by the apostles. And in 2 Corinthians 12:12, the marks of a true apostle include “signs, wonders [teras] and miracles.”

Through divine actions, the God of wonders reveals His character, His purposes, and His power on earth. In response, people who witness His miracles are filled with awe and wonder: “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told” (Habakkuk 1:5, ESV).

The pagan King Nebuchadnezzar witnessed the miraculous power of the Lord Most High. The wondrous deeds he experienced included a dream that was revealed and interpreted, three Hebrews being delivered from a fiery furnace, and the loss and restoration of Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity and kingdom. In response, Nebuchadnezzar enthusiastically praised the God of wonders: “It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation” (Daniel 4:2–3).

God’s wonders reveal His love and protection.

God’s wonders carry out acts of judgment.

God’s wonders reveal His kingdom.

God’s wonders are supernatural acts beyond human understanding.

Through extraordinary signs, the God of wonders demonstrates His limitless power, His inescapable presence, His divine protection, and His sovereign purposes. In each instance, God’s wondrous works are designed to draw people to Himself. Through His most stunning of all miracles, the God of wonders revealed Himself in Jesus Christ, overcame the power of sin and death, and redeemed His people for all eternity.

The Word God has given me in 2020 is Wonder! Joshua 3:5 says it all, “then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do great wonders among you.” Purify is also translated consecrate, sanctify, or make yourselves acceptable. When we do that, then we will see our God do great wonders in each of our lives!

I believe God is going to show me and many of us His mighty wonder working power both in 2020 and in the decade to come!

Photo by Crazy nana on Unsplash