Get Ready for the Unexpected

Isaiah 41:2 Who has roused a victor from the east, summoned him to his service? He delivers up nations to him, and tramples kings under foot; he makes them like dust with his sword, like driven stubble with his bow.

Often when we’re going through difficult times, God intervenes in ways that we simply don’t expect. We expect a conventional intervention. He on the other hand, steps in, in an unconventional way. We expect a natural intervention, but He has something supernatural in mind.

And that can be so unsettling, so fearful. That’s why God wants you, to be ready for the unexpected.

Israel had been in captivity in Babylon for seventy years and it was time for God to set them free and return them to the promised land. Sure, that’s what they all wanted, but when God stepped in, it wasn’t what they expected.

Instead of just changing the King of Babylon’s heart – which would have been so much more convenient – He raised up Cyrus, the King of Persia to take on the Babylonians in war and ultimately it was Cyrus as the victor in that war, who allowed God’s people to return to the promised land.

Now, we can sit back in the comfort of our armchairs and think to ourselves “Well, that’s fine. At least they made it home again.” But put yourself in their shoes. They were slaves. Completely powerless. And a war is raging around them. That’s pretty scary.

But before the battle begins, God speaks to His people through the prophet Isaiah. You see, God always wants to give us His wisdom before the battle begins. Before the calamity strikes:

Who has roused a victor from the east, summoned him to his service? He delivers up nations to him, and tramples kings under foot; he makes them like dust with his sword, like driven stubble with his bow. (Isaiah 41:2)

In other words, I’m behind this calamity. I have the power to raise up kings and cast them down:

But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:8-13)

So don’t be afraid, God is saying, because I am on your side? Do you see how important it is to get this sort of wisdom into your heart before calamity strikes, before God intervenes in a situation in a way that you don’t expect?

Often, when God is up to something really good, things get worse before they get better. And without the Word of God, without the wisdom of God in your heart, you’ll have no idea.

God is on your side so don’t be surprised, don’t be alarmed, when He acts in a way that you didn’t expect.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

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