RE Verse reading–1 Corinthians 16:1-4, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 9:6-15 (day five) “And this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God” (8:5) It was an unexpected kind of generosity. Even in a miraculous age, the Spirit of God working in the Macedonian church was a surprise to Paul. Affliction does not normally lead to joy. Poverty doesn’t usually lead to liberality. (see vs 2) It is supernatural and, therefore, exactly what we should expect. If God is better than we imagine–“Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20)–then people who are filled with His life should also be a regular surprise to us as well. In patience, in generosity, in forgiveness, in joy. . .part of the Lord’s plan for this predictable world is to plant surprises in the midst of it. May the Lord use us to surprise someone today.
