Had Any Surprises Lately?

Christmas is a season of the year when we think about surprises—parents surprising their children, children surprising their parents, friends surprising each other—but God is a God of surprises throughout the year.

God reveals Himself in Scripture as a God who loves surprises. Throughout the Old Testament, God manifests Himself in surprising ways, He chooses surprising people, He acts in surprising circumstances.

God Manifests Himself in Surprising Ways:

• A burning bush
• A whirlwind
• A bunch of dry bones
• A barren womb

God Chooses Surprising People:

• An idol worshiper
• A murderer
• A con man
• A shepherd boy
• A prostitute

God Acts in Surprising Circumstances:

• A Flood
• A Battlefield
• A Famine
• A Murder

In the New Testament, God Himself becomes the surprise. From His birth announcement, His earthly life, His horrible death, and His anticipated return, it’s one surprise after another.

His Birth Announcement Surprised:

• His mother Mary
• His father Joseph
• The shepherds
• King Herod

His Earthly Life Brought Surprising:

• Miracles
• Teachings
• Revelations

His Horrible Death Surprised:

• The Disciples
• The Unbelievers
• The Roman Soldiers

His Anticipated Return Will Surprise:

• The Unprepared
• The Uninformed
• The Unbeliever

How will God surprise you in 2016?  It could be a way in the wilderness or a river in the desert. “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19. 

God will surprise you. Anticipate it. Look for it. Embrace it.