Surprised by God: His Unexpected Ways

God rarely acts the way we expect. This article explores why life’s surprises need not unsettle us, and how the believer can live ready for the unexpected while trusting the God who knows the end from the beginning.

God Delights to Surprise Us

God is creative; He delights to surprise us in different, unexpected and fresh ways, often answering prayer in ways beyond our understanding by giving us something so much better than we can imagine (Mt 7:11; 1 Cor 2:9).

Although Jesus had stated He would rise from the dead, the disciples were surprised when it happened (Jn 20:9). When prayer was being made on Peter’s behalf, while he was in prison, he was miraculously freed and some of those praying couldn’t believe the answer. Our faith in the miraculous power of God should be always increasing.

Nothing is too hard for the Lord

Nothing is too hard for the Lord (Gen 18:14; Jer 32:17,27; Act 12:1-19).

God Knows the Future

Situations may catch us by surprise yet God knows the future (Eccl 3:11; Isa 46:10; Rev 22:13). The unexpected can be unsettling yet by being securely grounded in Christ we can rest confident that He only allows what is ultimately for our good – to drive us closer to Him.

Nothing about tomorrow is hidden from Him. Before a single day of our lives unfolded, every one of them was written in His book (Ps 139:16), and He declares the end from the beginning so that no event can ever take Him by surprise (Isa 46:9-10). Even when His thoughts and ways tower above our understanding, they are never random: His plans for His children are for welfare and not for evil, to give a future and a hope (Isa 55:8-9; Jer 29:11), and in every situation He is working for the good of those who love Him (Rom 8:28).

We can place our future in His hands

Because He knows the future, we can trust Him with it. He is not a man that He should lie or change His mind; what He has promised He will do (Num 23:19). His compassions never fail – they are new every morning – and great is His faithfulness (Lam 3:22-23), so we can cast every anxiety about what lies ahead on Him, because He cares for us (Ps 62:8; 1 Pet 5:7). Trust is the practical answer to the unexpected: rather than leaning on our own limited understanding, we acknowledge Him in all our ways and find Him straightening the path before us (Prov 3:5-6).

Do Not Be Caught Unprepared

As Satan blinds people’s minds do not be surprised when they reject the gospel or warm to your testimony of how Jesus is transforming your life. Our response should be to keep praying and sharing the love of Christ with them.

The Bible states the rapture (when Jesus Christ returns suddenly to take all true believers to be with Him, signalling the end of the world as we know it – 1 Thes 4:16-17) will occur at an unexpected time, and catch many people unprepared (Mt 24:44; 2 Pet 3:10). Many will be surprised that they will not be allowed into heaven (by thinking they should be because of their effort and works), however admission is only through the blood of Jesus and doing His will (Mt 7:21-27; Lk 13:25-27; Rom 5:9; Eph 2:8-9; Rev 5:9). There will be no second chance after death – no further opportunity to respond to the gospel – so today is the day of salvation (Lk 16:26; 2 Cor 6:2; Heb 9:27).

Ensure you are ready for the return of Christ

Reflection and Application

Recall answers to prayer that came in unexpected ways, and thank God for them.
Hold your plans loosely, expecting God to give far better than you imagined.
When the unexpected unsettles you, anchor your confidence in Christ, who never changes.
Keep praying for, and sharing Christ with, those who reject the gospel.