READ: 1 SAMUEL 16: 1-13
As David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the olive oil he had brought with him and poured it on David’s head. And the spirit of the Lord came upon him from that day on. (V.13)
Jim, a Christian brother, contracted the COVID virus while working at the PA Department of Transportation. After two weeks at home, he recovered and was allowed to return to work. However, the day after his return his dear wife tested positive for the virus and Jim was told he once again had to stay home for another ten days to insure he did not bring the virus back to work. This made zero sense as Jim had fully recovered from the virus and was not subject to reinfection. He resolved to stay home for another ten days. That abruptly changed the next morning, when his unit’s secretary called asking why he was not at work. Apparently, someone took the time to carefully read the COVID work return guidelines and realized the mistake in ordering Jim to stay home. Jim’s response to the whole affair, “A lesson I have learned from working for PENNDOT—you need to expect the unexpected!”
Jim’s relevant observation on expecting the unexpected goes far beyond the world of work. Page after page in the Bible, God’s manual of operations, delivers a myriad of unexpected results. Jesee never for a moment considered that his youngest son would one day be the most powerful ruler of his time. He was also delegated by God to be one the builders for the foundations of the Christian faith. In fact, Jesee did not even summon David from his work as a shepherd to the initial selection and anointing service conducted by Samuel—God works in unexpected ways. Gideon never thought for one second that he would be employed as one of God’s mightiest warriors—God works in unexpected ways. Esther never considered that she would have to put her life on the line to expose a plot to wipe out the people of Israel—God works in unexpected ways. Jesus called fisherman and a tax collector to be key disciples in advancing His Kingdom on earth—God works in unexpected ways. The chief anti-Christian enforcer Saul was transformed into Paul becoming the leading theologian, preacher, missionary and writer for advancing the Gospel of Christ—God works in unexpected ways. Delivering the unexpected continues to be the normal operational procedure for our God. He transcends the power of all human expectations and is the sole determiner of how history and His Kingdom will advance!
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Knowing that God’s ways are higher than our most advanced levels of comprehension, we need to be prepared to expect and listen for God’s voice at all times. He keeps us off balance less we become too enamored with ourselves, forgetting the one who is the–I AM!
Dear God, open our eyes, minds and hearts to your desires when the unexpected becomes reality.