GOD OF SURPRISES
"But if it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.†Job 5:8-9
When they were growing up, one of my children’s favorite Christmas traditions was exploring their stockings. This is where I always hid the “surprise.†The one thing they had not asked for but I knew was perfect for them. It might be something small, like a new pair of their favorite character pajamas. Or something a little bigger, like a gift card for that new video game. The gifts changed over the years but the tradition never did. They always headed for the stocking first, eager to see what new surprise I had for them.
The tradition was just as much fun for me. I was always on the lookout for something that would surprise them. Sometimes I had the stocking gifts purchased way ahead of time. Sometimes nothing spoke to me until the last minute. But the surprise always made its way into their stockings, somehow or other.
God loves to “stuff†our lives with surprises, too. He is the God of surprises. He surprised the Israelites by parting the Red Sea just in the nick of time, allowing them to pass through in safety and swallowing up their enemies. He surprised Abraham and Sarah by promising them a son. He surprised Hezekiah by making the sun’s shadow go back ten steps. He surprised Jehoshaphat by filling the valley with water for their animals without the benefit of rain. He surprised Joshua when the walls of Jericho crumbled with just a shout of faith.
What surprise do you think God may have waiting for you this holiday season? Could there be an unexpected phone call or text message, opening the door to communication that has been absent for so long? Could there be a soft “I love you†hidden among all those harsher words? Could there be a gentle whisper of rumbling as that mountain of circumstances begins to crumble? Could there be a surprise visit as your beloved pulls in the drive, all their things packed in their car?
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5
Maybe the surprise for you will be the peace, and even joy, that surrounds you in the midst of difficult circumstances. Maybe it will be a loved one’s return to church after a long absence. Or an extended family member who reaches out to you. Or forgiveness offered and accepted. Maybe a financial blessing or physical healing.
When we spend our time looking up, God often sends delightful surprises down. And don’t expect fireworks. Sometimes our surprise takes a while to get here. Just because you don’t see the end result, doesn’t mean that God isn’t working or hasn’t heard. Something that seems small and insignificant to us, might just be the start of something even bigger. Sometimes a negative circumstance turns into a amazing blessing. God loves to surprise us that way.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid.†Genesis 50:20-21a
And just as I delighted in finding the perfect surprise for my kids, God delights in finding the perfect surprise for us. After all, He knows us better than we know ourselves. He sees the end from the beginning and knows just what special blessing He has in store for us. Not only that, but He knows the perfect timing. God likes to do things that go way beyond anything we could imagine. He likes to show up in the middle of a circumstance or situation and say, “Ta Da! I’m here!†God will act for us if we can continue to walk in faith and trust. That’s no surprise, is it?
Heavenly Father, we come before You today asking You to fill us with more of You this holiday season. We eagerly await and anticipate whatever surprises You want to send our way. We stand in grateful praise for the wonderful surprise You sent over 2000 years ago - Your son in human form, born to die so that we may live. Lord, we know that nothing – absolutely nothing – is too hard for you so we wait in faith and trust as You get things ready for our surprise. With thankful hearts, in praise and adoration for the gift of Your only Son, we pray in His name. Amen.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. 1 Chronicles 16:10-12
Standing and expecting,
Kim, a stander in Nebraska
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