Nothing Catches God By Surprise by Pamela Nance Johnson

There are times when we are caught off guard by the things or circumstances in our lives. It seems like storms of life come out of nowhere and come crashing like thunder or the waves of a flood. Be assured that absolutely nothing is a surprise to God. 

God knows the present and the future because he planned it! The Bible says that even before we were born, God knew all our futures. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16 NIV).

Jeremiah 29:11(NIV) encourages us to hold on to hope, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

While we may feel blindsided by an unexpected event or unforeseen circumstance, oh…think it not strange. According to 1Peter 4:12 -13 (KJV) “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” The Message Bible says, “This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.”

Not only does God know the events and things that will happen, He also knows us. He knows our behaviors, our thoughts, and actions and yet he still loves us anyway! God knows how we will react, much like our natural parents it doesn’t change how he feels toward us. We can look to Psalm 139:1-4 (NIV) for assurance “1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.” 
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How do we know he still loves us despite us? If we had only one or two scripture truths, they would be John 3:16-17(NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” In addition, we can stand on Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.


As we go about our daily lives knowing that trouble will come, it will not last forever. We know that in our humanity it may get difficult, don’t get weary and don’t give up in the middle of your storm. God is right there with you and will carry you through. Remember His promises are Yes and Amen as it is written in 2 Corinthians 1:20 “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

God’s Yes and Amen mean so be it or let it be so. It leaves no room for doubt, an expression of our trust in God’s faithfulness. It is a way of acknowledging our faith in His character and our willingness to trust Him. If God said it then we can believe it, stand on it, have faith and hope in it. 
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Minister Pamela Johnson 
January 2024

Pamela Nance Johnson is a lover of Christ, an author, a minister, and entrepreneur. Pamela enjoys sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to those she encounters day by day. She also loves lifting up a praise to our Lord and Savior through song. Follow Pamela on Facebook @PamelaNanceJohnson.