Surprised? Not at all.

Do you think God has ever been surprised?  I mean, when He created the universe, do you think He didn’t realize exactly what was going to happen throughout all eternity?  Scripture says He can change His mind but, was He ever surprised?  I don’t think so.

From the point of, “Let there be light” – and from then on, no surprises.

He knew that Eve would eat the fruit.

He knew Cain would kill Abel.

He knew the Red Sea would need to be parted, that Joseph’s brothers would throw him in a well, that Job would persevere and that Judas would betray.

He knew, from the beginning, we would need a savior.  Was He surprised?  Not at all.  As early as Genesis 3:15, Christ is mentioned.   So I’m thinking, there are no surprises with God.  Nothing surprises Him.  He had a plan, from the beginning, and when things weren’t going “well”, He didn’t shake His head and say, “ok, let’s go to Plan B now” – He was not surprised.  Not at all.

For me, that thought wraps around my heart and screams, “mercy!”  If we truly think about this mercy, truly comprehend it (which in my opinion, we never truly can), our lives would be changed.  Totally changed.

The prophet, Micah, said it best, I think:

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives

 the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance?

 You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

 My Bible dictionary defines “mercy” as kindness.  Seriously?  Yep – that’s it.  Kindness. 

 So giving up your own son as a sacrifice for sin is kindness.

Loving even when we are unloveable is kindness.

Forgiving over and over and over and over – kindness.

Kindness is defined as grace and favor.  God’s mercy is shown to us even though we don’t deserve it because we are favored. 

So, from the beginning, Mercy reached out, favored and gave.  Gave what mattered most.  Gave Himself. 

When they hurled their insults at Him, he did not retaliate;

when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted

Himself to Him who judges justly.  “He Himself bore our sins”

in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live

for righteousness; “by His wounds you have been healed.”

For “you were like sheep going astray,”but now you have

returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.  I Peter 2

He Who is the God of gods and the King of kings.  The God Who formed the earth and held the seas back to put the land in place.  He gave a part of HIMself – for us.  He came to this earth, and finished the plan.  He, Himself, on the cross.  Crucified.  Mercy. 

 

 

So, do you agree?   Can God be surprised?  His plan for us is THE most giving, perfect plan of redemption there ever was.  Now THAT does not surprise me one bit.  Not at all.