Expect the Unexpected from our Creator and King

I think it’s pretty cool that as we yearn for the Lord to show us his glory, he will show us if we will only expect the unexpected from our creator and king. And this morning was a great example.

As I went to take my 16-year-old “miniature” dachshund out to do her early morning business the fog was thick and heavy around my home where I live. This makes sense because where I live is surrounded by fields.

First Impression

While I waited for her I took the time to look around at the thick fog. Now being a person who passionately loves the Lord the first thing I thought of was John Carpenter’s movie The Fog (1980) and Stephen King’s movie The Mist (2007). Yes, I admit in my younger years I enjoyed scary movies…In both movies, the fog or mist rolled in and there were horrible supernatural creatures hiding in the fog/mist that would attack and kill you ruthlessly if you went outside. (I’ve learned through the years to be careful what goes into my mind.)

And just so you know there are horrible supernatural creatures all around us called DEMONS. Moreover, if God allowed us to see them, we would collapse from fright. Demons do want your soul in hell with them. However, the Warrior Angels of Almighty God are also there engaged in a battle to protect the followers of Jesus Christ.

But this is not the focus of this post.

The Unexpected Encounter

However, What is the focus is what the Lord then brought to my mind. As real as the demonic and angelic realm is, there is “the greater” reality. The greater reality is the Lord God who is the creator of all there is.

Therefore, as the thoughts of those movies were in my head, the Lord interrupted my musings and added the greater reality of HIS Presence in the fog. The Lord reminded me of the account between the Egyptian Pharaoh the king of Egypt and Moses God’s chosen leader of the Israelites in the book of Exodus, chapters 5-14.

The Bible states:

“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.” Exodus 13:21-22

This was the Lord’s way of protecting the Israelites from the elements during the 40 years they were in the desert.

Because we are a see-it-to-believe-it type of people, this was also a visual manifestation of our Holy God. This was something that they could see with their natural eyes to remind them that the Lord God was with them and they need not fear.

Therefore, as I once again looked at all the fog that surrounded me, I was reminded that this is how the Lord surrounds his children. Like a snuggly blanket wrapped around us, it gives us the opportunity to realize that Jesus Christ is always there surrounding us. Take heart beloved of God, we are never alone! Through the storms of life, the Lord is always there.

The Lord Surrounds Us

Scriptures also tell us that the Lord goes before us and he’s a rear guard (Isaiah 52:12). He walks beside us and there are times he carries us.

“You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” Psalm 139:5 (NLT)

“He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11

So the next time when you see the fog settling in consider it as the presence of God surrounding you showing you how much he cares and loves you. It’s a gentle reminder that you’re never alone and he’s always there whether you or I recognize it or not.

Perhaps he may choose to display his glory and care with a  gentle hug or a smile from someone at the moment you most need it.  Don’t for one minute forget that, that was Jesus with skin on. That’s God showing you his love and his glory.

How We long

How we long to see the Lord. How we long for a bit of heaven, how we long to see the Creator’s glory. Be prepared, God shows us his love and glory in ways we don’t expect. And if we don’t keep our hearts and minds open, we might miss the message such as this one that came to me today as I took Ginger out and walked through the heavy fog.

This was God showing me his glory in a way I wasn’t expecting.

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.” Psalm 34:1

Maranatha! Until next time, I am Passionately Loving Jesus, the Anchor of my Soul.