Suddenly!

Have you ever noticed the “suddenlies” of God recorded in the New Testament?

Here’s a few:

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God and saying ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests’” (Luke 2:13-14).

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:1-2).

“As he (Saul of Tarsus) neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him” (Acts 9:3).

These times of God’s intervention reveal His modus operandi, or His way of responding to people.  Have you ever experienced this aspect of God’s intervention in your life?

Often, life tends to rock along and we are required to wait and to endure.  Answers to prayer seem slow in coming.  Miracles evade us.  Then, all of a sudden, God shows up and brings a “suddenly” into our life.  “Suddenlies” constitute breakthroughs!

“Suddenlies” usually preclude a new season of God’s purposes in kingdom life.  For example, an angelic host suddenly appeared in the night skies over Bethlehem to “sing” earth’s greatest birth announcement.  This host had waited centuries to serenade unsuspecting shepherds!

Wind and fire suddenly filled an upper room in Jerusalem and 120 men and women were filled with the Holy Spirit, thus inaugurating the birth of the Church.  This group had been required to wait several days before their “suddenly” manifested. 

A light brighter than the noonday sun suddenly overwhelmed Saul of Tarsus; and Jesus Christ spoke from heaven, forever changing the life of this Jewish hatchet man.  That day in the dirt, God’s “suddenly” transformed a persecutor into a preacher!  Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, would later write two-thirds of the New Testament.  God’s “suddenly” was followed by a heavenly assignment!

But wait.  We usually don’t experience “suddenlies” every day.  Sometimes we are called upon to wait.  However, remember that God’s delays do not constitute His denials.  His delays do not signal His deliberate attempts to withhold His help we so desperately need at times.  When His purposes in our life have been worked out, He shows up with a “suddenly” and kingdom plans are set into motion. His timing is perfect!

Do you need God’s intervention in a situation today?  Remember, He is at work on your behalf this very moment and when His kingdom purpose for your life comes to fruition, your “suddenly” will come forth.  His modus operandi hasn’t changed!