God’s Surprise

The Bible is filled with surprises, especially about how and whom God uses to fill the divine purposes. For example, who would have guessed that God would send the Messiah through the person of a 15-year-old unmarried girl, engaged to be married, but to that point only promised. It sounds rather scandalous and is not a plan we would have approved.

In our reading for today we are told about another great surprise. We meet a 100-year-old man married to a 90-year-old woman, and we listen to God telling them they are going to have a son who would be the forefather of nations and whose descendants will produce the Messiah. Abraham laughed so hard that he fell on his face (Genesis 17:17); Sarah also laughed (verse 18:12).

However, God did give this couple a baby whom they named Isaac. Matthew traces the lineage of Abraham, Sarah and Isaac all the way to Jesus. (Matthew 1:1-16)

It is wonderful to realize that God continually surprises us. Why not take a few moments to think about how God has sometimes surprised you.

O God of mystery and grace and promise, help us to discover and reflect on the surprising ways you have brought joy and challenge and hope into our lives. Help us always to be open to surprise. Amen. — RN

Contributed by God’s Surprise

The Bible is filled with surprises, especially about how and whom God uses to fill the divine purposes. For example, who would have guessed that God would send the Messiah through the person of a 15-year-old unmarried girl, engaged to be married, but to that point only promised. It sounds rather scandalous and is not a plan we would have approved. In our reading for today we are told about another great surprise. We meet a 100-year-old man married to a 90-year-old woman, and we listen to God telling them they are going to have a son who would be the forefather of nations and whose descendants will produce the Messiah. Abraham laughed so hard that he fell on his face (Genesis 17:17); Sarah also laughed (verse 18:12). However, God did give this couple a baby whom they named Isaac. Matthew traces the lineage of Abraham, Sarah and Isaac all the way to Jesus. (Matthew 1:1-16) It is wonderful to realize that God continually surprises us. Why not take a few moments to think about how God has sometimes surprised you.
Eternity for Today