Expect the Unexpected

Key Scripture

“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” — Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)

Devotion

We serve a holy, sovereign, all-knowing, and all-powerful God. Throughout His Word, we see that He is faithful, unchanging, and steadfast in His love toward us. We can trust His character, His promises, and His faithfulness. But one thing I have discovered as I get to know Him more is that, while God never changes, the ways He chooses to move are often unexpected! He doesn't always work according to our plans, our timing, or our understanding.

Let's look at a few examples.

When Moses and the Israelites stood at the Red Sea (Exodus 14): They were trapped between the sea in front of them and Pharaoh's army closing in behind them. It looked as though there was no way out. I'm sure they couldn't imagine how God would deliver them. But God parted the waters, made a way where there was no way, and brought His people safely to the other side. God had promised to deliver them, but He didn't tell them exactly how He would do it!

When Jesus arrived at the tomb of His dear friend Lazarus (John 11): Everyone assumed Jesus had come to grieve with Mary and Martha over the loss of their brother. Even though Jesus had told them that the sickness would not end in death, they could not have imagined what was about to happen. Lazarus had been dead for four days when Jesus called out, “Lazarus, come forth!” And the man who had been lying in a tomb walked out alive! What looked like the end became an opportunity for the glory of God to be revealed.

When the lame man sat begging at the temple gate (Acts 3): He was looking for money from Peter and John. He wasn't expecting a life-changing encounter that would allow him to walk for the first time! Instead of giving him what he expected, God gave him something far greater. Peter declared, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” The man received his healing, and he entered the temple walking, leaping, and praising God.

Three different situations. Three impossible circumstances. And three unexpected demonstrations of God's power!

So, sisters, let me ask you: Where in your life do you need an unexpected miracle?

Are you facing a Red Sea moment, wondering how you're going to get through what stands before you? Do you need something in your life or relationships to be resurrected, restored, or made new? Have you been praying for something for so long that you've stopped expecting God to answer?

Maybe you've already decided how God needs to work, what the answer should look like, or when it needs to happen. But what if His answer looks completely different from what you've imagined?

We serve a God who still works in the impossible! We may not always understand His ways, and we cannot dictate how or when He will move, but we can trust who He is. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that His ability exceeds our imagination, our requests, and even our wildest dreams.

That doesn't mean God will always answer in the way we want or expect. Sometimes He changes our circumstances, and sometimes He changes us in the middle of them. Sometimes the miracle is immediate, and sometimes we must continue trusting Him while we wait. But no matter what, we can be confident that He is faithful and that nothing is beyond His power.

I may not know how or when God will move, but by faith, I know He is able!

Sisters, expect the unexpected today! As you go about your daily routines and predictable habits, keep your heart open to what God might do. Don't limit Him to what you can see, understand, or imagine. Continue praying, believing, and trusting—even when the circumstances seem impossible.

The God who made a way through the sea, called Lazarus out of the grave, and healed the lame man is still God today. We may not know what He will do next, but we can trust Him with what comes next!

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You that You are the God of the impossible.

Forgive us for the times we have limited our expectations to what we can see or understand.

Help us to trust Your character when we cannot understand Your ways.

Renew our faith where disappointment has caused us to stop believing, and give us patience to wait on Your timing.

Teach us to recognize Your hand at work, even when Your answers look different from what we expected.

Lord, we bring You our Red Sea moments, our broken places, and the things we have prayed over for so long.

We surrender the outcome to You and ask for the faith to believe that nothing is too hard for You.

Keep our hearts expectant, our eyes fixed on Jesus, and our spirits sensitive to Your leading.

May our lives be a testimony of Your faithfulness and power.

In Jesus' mighty name,

Amen!

Personal Growth Scriptures

Jeremiah 32:17; Isaiah 43:18–19; Luke 1:37; Romans 8:28; Psalm 27:13–14; Mark 9:23–24; Habakkuk 3:17–19; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 3:20–21

Personal Reflection

Where have I stopped expecting God to move because I cannot see how He could possibly do it? What would it look like for me to trust His character, surrender my expectations, and remain faithful while I wait?