Were the angels surprised when God sketched out the universe? Surely they were—as surprised as when they saw the first bird take flight and the first humans blink their eyes. As surprised as when they watched God Himself sew garments to cover the fallen humans’ shame (Genesis 1:1–2:25, Genesis 3:21).
God surprised Abraham with a promise, Sarah with a child, and Moses with His presence as he knelt before a tree aglow with flames (Genesis 17:17-19; Exodus 3:2). All Israel walked in wide-eyed wonder as they followed the cloud and the fire, marched between walls of water, and fled to a new land (Exodus 14:21-25).
God surprised Isaac with a wife and Jacob with a dream (Genesis 24:62-67, Genesis 28:10-21). He surprised Samuel with a voice and Elijah with a whisper (1 Samuel 3:3-10; 1 Kings 19:11-13). God surprised David with kingship, Solomon with wisdom, Hezekiah with life, and Isaiah with a vision (1 Samuel 16:11-13; 1 Kings 4:29; 2 Kings 20:1-6; Isaiah 6:1-7).
And one day God surprised a teenage virgin with an angelic visitation (Luke 1:26-38). The child born to that girl surprised the learned with His knowledge of God (Luke 2:47). Later, He surprised those around Him by setting off on a mission. On that mission He surprised blind men by opening their eyes and demoniacs by casting their tormentors into swine. He surprised crippled women by straightening their backs and nervous wedding hosts by turning water into wine. It was a surprise when He revealed Himself as the Messiah—carrying a towel and not a sword. It was a surprise when Jesus offered forgiveness to the very ones who betrayed Him and returned to life after the most horrific of deaths (Matthew 28:1-8; Luke 23:34).
Never forget: Our God is a God of surprises.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Colossians 2:1-15
More:
Read Luke 24:13-35 and see how Jesus surprised two people on the road to Emmaus.
Next:
How have you at times “placed God in a box”? Why is it encouraging to know that God can be surprising?
pjp on December 5, 2013 at 5:12 am
Awesome God!
tom felten on December 5, 2013 at 8:31 am
So true, Sheridan. Some of the most surprising things God has done in my life have come about through trials and valleys, not successes and mountain peaks. I suppose that shouldn’t be surprising, Jesus conquered sin and death through suffering and a cruel death on a cross. What an amazing God!
GChoo on December 7, 2013 at 9:54 am
Wow, our God is really full of surprises in our lives. Sheridan, thanks for pointing that out to us.
Couldn’t agree with you more Tom. When we learn how to depend on God and stay close to His Word we truly could experience and see for ourselves how GREAT A GOD we have. That’s what He did to my life too. Hallelujah!