May God Surprise You

A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah . . . had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. The angel of the LORD appeared to her and said, "You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean.
You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. 
He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines." Judges 13:2-5.


It always amazes me when I reflect over the special favor, surprises, and blessings God often bestows upon the barren.

Abraham and Sarah were barren and God bestowed upon them the blessing of Isaac and the entire nation of Israel through whom all people on earth were to be blessed.
Jacob's wife, Rachel, was barren and God blessed her with Joseph through whom the entire nation of Israel was saved from famine by allowing them to sojourn in Egypt. Hannah was barren and God blessed her with Samuel who was a mighty prophet of God and Israel's godly leader for several years. Elizabeth was barren and God blessed her womb with John the Baptist who baptized Jesus.

Manoah and his wife were barren and God blessed them with a son who was to deliver Israel out of the hands of her enemies. God does not forget the plight of the barren! He favors them.

As I reflect over this thought, two things come to mind:
First, if God has blessed you with children after many years of barrenness, then see those children as very special. God has a special purpose for their lives. They were given to you for a reason.
Second: If you are waiting on the Lord for the blessing of a child, don't give up. God might have a surprise for you as He did for Manoah's wife.

You might be barren now but, like Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth and Manoah's wife, who knows when God will surprise you? Keep your faith going because our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think according to His power that is at work in us.

May God surprise you like He surprised Manoah's wife!
May God fill your mouth with laughter as He did for Sarah at the birth of Isaac.
May God put a song of praise in your mouth to glorify His name for His awesome deeds!
And even if you have already been blessed with children, may God end every form of barrenness in your life and cause you to experience abundant fruit in every area of your life . . .

Prayer: Lord, I thank you that in your own time you make all things beautiful. I stand in full anticipation of your blessings and surprises. I ask in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen