Suddenly

Matthew 28:9 NIV Suddenly Jesus met them.

God is the God of suddenly. He is the God of surprises. If you are a parent, you know the joy of surprising your child with an unexpected gift. God is the same and he loves to surprise His children.

Throughout scripture we see people in need, sometimes waiting long periods of time, when suddenly, the breakthrough comes, and often from an unexpected resource. Water from a rock, manna on the ground, a dream or vision, the interpretation of a dream, an angelic visit, healing from dipping in a river. The Greek word for suddenly is aphno, meaning unaware or unexpected. We serve the God of suddenly, often doing things quickly, unexpectedly, and without warning.

One hundred twenty people were waiting for the promise of the Holy Spirit, then without warning, God moved and fulfilled the promise. “Suddenly a sound like a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2). You have a promise; you are waiting expectantly to see God move. No matter how long or how hard it has been, God has a “suddenly” for you. He will move; He will fulfill His promise, and you will receive from Him what you have longed for.

Now filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, “the believers preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went” (Acts 8:4). But just when it seemed that all was good, Saul comes in hot pursuit of these new believers; “Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. But, as Saul was approaching Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him” (Acts 9:1-3). God suddenly stepped in and nothing would hinder spreading the Kingdom of God. Just as suddenly, Saul was now Paul and was boldly proclaiming the salvation of the Lord to the entire world.

Paul and Silas had set out to preach the gospel to the Gentile world yet soon found themselves in prison. They could have been discouraged, feeling abandoned by God, yet they chose to trust. “Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening” (Acts 16:25). Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake; the prison was shaken, all the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! God not only set Paul and Silas free, but the blessing of God’s suddenly fell on every prisoner.  Freedom and salvation came to the prisoners and the guard’s household. Whenever you trust God and wait on His promises to be fulfilled, whenever you choose to sing and pray over worrying and complaining, you can be assured someone is watching.

The Old Testament prophets did not know when the Messiah would come, but when he did, it was sudden. Luke 2:13-14, “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.” We do not know when He will return, but we do know, it will be sudden. Matthew 24:44, “for the Son of Man will come suddenly, when least expected.” If God started this age suddenly and ends it suddenly, you can be assured He wants to do some suddenlies in the meantime.

But there is one truth about God’s suddenlies…..they are always on His timing. Our role is to pray and sing, believe and trust. Pray, sing, and wait on his suddenlies. You will not be disappointed, and those watching will be blessed.

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Luke 2:13-14 NIV 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.

Acts 2:1-4 NIV 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. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

1 Samuel 3:2-4 NLT One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had gone to bed. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God. Suddenly the Lord called out, Samuel! Yes? Samuel replied. What is it?

Proverbs 29:1 NIV Whoever remains stubborn and stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

Acts 9:1-4 NIV Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

Acts 10:30-31 NIV Cornelius Sid: Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.

Numbers 16:42 NIV But when the assembly gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron and turned toward the tent of meeting, suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the Lord appeared.

Acts 8:38-39 NIV Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

2 Kings 2:11 NIV As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.

2 Chronicles 29:36 AMP Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced because of what God had prepared and done for the people, for the thing came about suddenly.”

Malachi 3:1 NLT Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Acts 12:7 NLT Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, Quick! Get up! And the chains fell off his wrists.

Matthew 24:43-44 NLT Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come suddenly, when least expected.