Devotionals

Surprise Presence

by Anne Adams
04/21/22
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The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” (Judges 6:11-12 – NIV)

"Did you beep me?"

So said the caller to the big church where I worked many years ago when I answered the phone. I quickly did a mental inventory of the ministers who I knew had beepers. No, it wasn’t any of them, so I blurted, "Who are you?"

Now I know I should have been more tactful with my response but the voice was clear and firm, "Walter." 

The senior minister! Oops!

I quickly connected him with his secretary and then had a chance to think about it. Usually when she beeped him she’d alert me but this time she didn’t. Hence the surprise presence.

Gideon had a similar experience when as he was trying to secretly thresh some wheat when he received a divine visitor. A surprise presence with news of special task for him to do.

Though I’ve ever had a personal visit like that I believe I’ve often felt a similar sense of a divine presence. It can take various forms – perhaps a sudden urge to say or do something that will encourage someone. Or maybe it’s a new idea I can implement in my writing ministry.  And sometimes, like he did with Gideon, when God approaches me with his unexpected presence he might have a new task for me.

Perhaps you have had a similar experience? Did you respond? How did you do it? Yet whatever you decide to do it’s important to remember that, like with Gideon, the Lord behind the visit is prepared with every provision to allow you to carry it out.