Nothing Takes God by Surprise

“for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe” ~John 11:15

Nothing Takes God by Surprise

During destabilizing events, whether on a personal or global scale, we are naturally concerned, possibly even upset. We’re unsure how it happened, how (or if) we could’ve prevented it, and how the outcome will affect our lives. Something that the Holy Spirit has taught me in recent years is that nothing takes God by surprise. I’m sure the idea of throwing Jesus a surprise birthday party was quickly dismissed because…well, He knows everything already. The Gospels are replete with Jesus foreshadowing future events because he wants his disciples to be prepared and to believe His word is true (John 11:15).

When Jesus hears Lazarus is sick, the one he loved (John 11:3), he tells Lazarus’s sisters that his sickness will not end in death. Lazarus does die, which Jesus knows without being told. Just because this wasn’t surprising to Jesus, that doesn’t mean He wasn’t upset. In fact, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. He wept (John 11: 33, 35). Shortly after, he raised Lazarus from the dead. Why did he cry if he knew Lazarus was about to come back to life? He shared in His friend’s grief because, at the time, their friend was dead, so His reaction was completely natural. More than that, Jesus was saddened by death itself—that such a loving person as Lazarus had to die—an unnatural product of the Created world.

What a whirlwind of emotions! This scripture shows us two main things: Jesus’s word is true, even when it seems untrue; Jesus has the final say, nothing else. Secondly, even though nothing can take our God by surprise, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect Him. Even though I know how Les Misérables ends, I will still cry. Our Lord is the same way. Jesus feels with us.

When the unexpected comes our way (whether good or bad) or a situation doesn’t turn out the way we hoped, it’s okay to express our emotions, but we must ensure our final hope is in the promises of God.

Nothing takes God by surprise. This gives me peace, and I hope it will also provide you with peace.

Always improve the present moment.