Rest Assured God Is Never Caught Off Guard

Have you ever been caught off guard?

I’m talking about one of those memorable yet awkward moments when the unexpected happens.

Usually, there are plenty of people around to laugh at your predicament.

It happened to me when I was in a community theater production of “My Fair Lady.”

During one of the big musical numbers, my character was right out there in front, dancing and singing along with the rest of the cast.

It was opening night and I’d invited a bunch of people to attend.

After a big dance number, the cast and I froze in position on stage to wait for the applause and closing of the curtain.

Out of the side of my eyes I saw the heavy curtain closing . . . but it was closing behind me!

For some goofy reason, I was too far forward on the stage.

The curtain closed.

There I was all by my lonesome and cringing as it was just me facing the audience.

What did I do?

The only thing I could think of.

I made up a few little dance steps and then sidestepped off the stage.

So embarrassing, but the audience got a good laugh!

The next night, believe me, I was prepared.

No more being caught off guard in front of all those people.

Without a doubt, it’s impossible to be prepared for everything.

We will all get caught off guard at one time or another and sometimes, in way more serious situations than others.

Aren’t you thankful that we have a Sovereign God who is never caught off guard?

God is Never Taken by Surprise

God is our ultimate authority.

In His greatness and wisdom, everything is working out according to His perfect plan.

The evils of sin that we see around us? God allows it.

So that people may know from the rising to the setting of the sun
That there is no one besides Me.
I am the Lord, and there is no one else,
⁷ The One forming light and creating darkness,
Causing well-being and creating disaster;
I am the Lord who does all these things. – Isaiah 45:6-7, (NASB).¹

Through all of the hardships and sufferings that man’s sin has brought on the world, by our strong faith and perseverance, God is preparing us for His church – the eternal Kingdom of God.

We need men so possessed by the Spirit of God that God can think His thoughts through our minds, that He can plan His will through our actions, that He can direct His strategy of world evangelization through His Church. – Alan Redpath, Christian pastor, author and theologian.²

God Already Knows 

If you look at the world today, it’s easy to get discouraged.

Even so, God is never taken by surprise.

Recently, I heard an excellent sermon from one of my favorite pastors. The topic was God’s Ultimate Authority.

After acknowledging the widespread evil in our day, he said to remember this:

“God is in control of those who are in control.”

Think about that.

The headlines are daunting:

Our nation turning its back on God

Protests

The breakdown of families

Horrific crimes increasing, including against children

Every evil we can imagine

As a result, we have become a lawless nation that has turned its back on God.

It’s all very hard to watch.

Take Comfort In God’s Divine Omniscience

This is an election year, as you already know.

The political vitriol will only heat up as we get closer to the date.

We should expect it, and pray.

Therefore, we must seek His guidance and wisdom during the challenging days ahead.

Hold onto the truth that God is not surprised, no matter what the outcome.

Here’s some encouraging words we can remember going forward.

Nothing has ever just occurred to God. Nothing has ever dawned on God. God is never caught by surprise. He is in charge every second of the way . . . up to Jesus Christ’s return. Take comfort in the fact that God’s got this, even if it doesn’t look like it. What appears to be falling apart for us is falling together for God. – Pastor Jack Wellman.

Remember, “God is in control of those who are in control.”

Let His peace that surpasses all understanding wash over you during the worst of times.

And, during those seasons of uncertainty, may you find comfort from the One who loves you unconditionally.

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¹ Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

² Quotation from Alan Redpath (1907-1989), former pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, as quoted from Christian quotes.info.

³ Quotation from whatchristianswanttoknow.com, from “Why America and Other Nations Have Had Such Bad Leadership?” n.d., para. 5. Web. Accessed May 3, 2024.  https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/why-america-and-other-nations-have-had-such-bad-leadership/