The response to God's works is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting how individuals and communities react to the divine actions and interventions in the world. This response can be seen in various forms, including worship, obedience, praise, thanksgiving, and sometimes even rebellion or indifference.

Worship and Praise

One of the most common responses to God's works is worship and praise. The Psalms are replete with examples of this response. Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." This acknowledgment of God's creation leads to worship and reverence. Similarly, Psalm 95:6 invites believers to respond with worship: "Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker."

In the New Testament, the response of worship is evident in the life of the early church. Acts 2:46-47 describes the believers' daily practice of worship: "With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people."

Obedience

Obedience is another significant response to God's works. The Israelites' journey in the wilderness provides numerous examples of how God expected obedience in response to His miraculous deeds. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 emphasizes this: "And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD that I am giving you this day for your own good?"

In the New Testament, Jesus calls for obedience as a response to His teachings and works. In John 14:15, He states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." This obedience is not merely a legalistic adherence but a heartfelt response to the love and grace shown by God through Christ.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a natural response to the benevolent works of God. The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to give thanks in all circumstances. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, he writes, "Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Thanksgiving acknowledges God's sovereignty and goodness, recognizing His hand in both the blessings and trials of life.

The Psalms also highlight thanksgiving as a response to God's works. Psalm 107:8-9 urges, "Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men. For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."

Rebellion and Indifference

Despite the overwhelming evidence of God's works, the Bible also records instances of rebellion and indifference. The Israelites often responded to God's miraculous interventions with grumbling and disobedience, as seen in Exodus 16:2-3, where they complain about their circumstances despite God's provision.

In the New Testament, Jesus laments the indifference of the cities that witnessed His miracles yet did not repent. In Matthew 11:20-21, He reproaches them: "Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 'Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.'"

Faith and Trust

Faith and trust are profound responses to God's works, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like Abraham, who "believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6). The writer of Hebrews commends such faith, stating, "Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1).

The response to God's works is multifaceted, encompassing worship, obedience, thanksgiving, and faith, while also acknowledging the human tendency toward rebellion and indifference. These responses are woven throughout the biblical narrative, inviting believers to reflect on their own reactions to the divine works in their lives.