Has the Lord ever surprised you? Surprises from God can take many different forms. As you read God’s word you might be surprised:
- how much the Lord loves you.
- that the Lord truly has a plan for your life
- the Lord protects you in the spiritual realm by powerful angels
- the Lord is calling you to do something that seems beyond your abilities
As I have walked through life, I have learned that God is continually surprising me. I believe He enjoys surprising us in His perfect timing.
God Surprises Jephthah
Jephthah would become a mighty warrior for the Lord, but his early life was not easy. His mother was a prostitute and his half brothers chased him off their land. Jephthah sought refuge in the foreign land of Tob. If I had been Jephthah, I would have wondered where God was.
Judges 11:4 At about this time, the Ammonites began their war against Israel. 5 When the Ammonites attacked, the elders of Gilead sent for Jephthah in the land of Tob. 6 The elders said, “Come and be our commander! Help us fight the Ammonites!” 7 But Jephthah said to them, “Aren’t you the ones who hated me and drove me from my father’s house? Why do you come to me now when you’re in trouble?”
8 “Because we need you,” the elders replied. “If you lead us in battle against the Ammonites, we will make you ruler over all the people of Gilead.” 9 Jephthah said to the elders, “Let me get this straight. If I come with you and if the Lord gives me victory over the Ammonites, will you really make me ruler over all the people?”[1]
What a strange turn of events for Jephthah! It was a surprise from God. He went from being disowned as a son of a prostitute to leading the Israelites in battle. Through this he looked to God for the victory. God had not forgotten about Jephthah. God did have a plan for his life that was beyond his imagination. The Lord would use him to free the Israelites from the Ammonites.
The Lord Enjoys Surprising You!
Why would the Lord surprise us? I believe He delights in showing us new things, but in His timing. If we knew all the twists and turns that lie ahead of us, we would be overwhelmed. The Lord calls us to live one day at time for our own well-being. When Jesus was crucified all seemed lost, but God would surprise everyone when Jesus was resurrected.
The last week of Jesus’ life was full of tragedy. None of Jesus’ followers expected Him to be crucified, even though He had warned them. Mary Magdalen had been at the foot of the cross as Jesus died, and took spices to His grave three days later. God surprised her there. Jesus’ tomb is open and there is no body.
Then a man in white asked her, “Why are you crying?” She explained that someone must have stolen the body of Jesus. Could he help her find him? She doesn’t recognize Jesus until He says her name. Suddenly she realized that this man isn’t the gardener, but her Savior. This is a surprise from God.
I believe God has his greatest surprise for us the moment we enter through heavens gates. 1 Corinthians 2:9,That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” [2] As you journey through life, be prepared for surprises from God.
To hear more about surprises from God, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-makes-a-difference-jephthah
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.