Invitations of Jesus Series: Episode 4 The Unexpected

Hello, my walking friend! Take a few seconds to thank Jesus for the opportunity to take a 10 minute walk with him. Do you feel your heart and mind begin to focus on Jesus? Awesome! Let’s keep going!

Today is the 4th episode in the Invitations of Jesus series and we are reflecting on his invitation to be amazed.

Our verse to meditate on today is Habakkuk 1:5 NIV:

Look at the nations and watch —  and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.

There was a man named Naaman…hey, that sounds like the beginning of a limerick, doesn’t it? But it’s not! Back in the time of the prophet Elisha, there was a revered commander of the army of Aram and his name was Naaman. He was revered…but he also had leprosy. God had used Naaman to give a military victory to Naaman’s king – and now God was going amaze Naaman with an unexpected healing. But it almost didn’t happen because Naaman questioned the Lord’s method. To Naaman, it sounded ridiculous and beneath his status. But he did it anyway, and to his amazement, he was healed…and he became a believer! You know, God is God, and he wants to amaze us and he often does it in unexpected ways. Just look at our redeemer. He came to our world as a baby, spent the first few years of his life as a political refugee, grew up in a working class family, was a carpenter by trade, and the path he walked for our redemption took him to the cross. Not the kind of rescue his followers were expecting. And then, to their amazement, he rose from the dead. God is inviting us to be amazed, in big ways and small. As you walk today, just look around and prepare to be amazed. 

Now take a little time now to meditate on Habakkuk 1:5:

Look at the nations and watch — and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.

Did Jesus reveal anything special to you as you meditated on the verse? I was inspired to write a poem based on the story of Naaman in the 2 Kings 5:1-21. It is titled, The Unexpected. You can read the poem, The Unexpected, in my poetry devotional entitled, Invitations Poetry Devotional.  

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

Let’s take some time to meditate again on Jesus’ invitation to be amazed by him, and what that means to us. 

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Lord,

Help me to remember that your ways are not my ways, that your solutions to my problems are often unexpected to me but never a surprise to you. Please give me the awareness to see you at work and prepare me to be amazed. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus, the one who invites me. Amen.

Here are some questions for you to consider:

Have you ever prayed for a change in a situation or a person and God answered your prayer in a way you didn’t expect?  Take some time to consider your answer.

Has God ever amazed you by going above and beyond what you expected during a time of need in your life? How did this affect your faith? Think of your answer now.

Is God inviting you to trust him to provide you with a solution to a problem you currently have or rescue from a situation? Is it hard for you to go to God first rather than as a last resort? If so, why do you think so?

Before we wrap up, listen to today’s verse one last time Habakkuk 1:5 :

Look at the nations and watch —  and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember, he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to Jesus now.

Good job, my friend! You did it! You accepted Jesus’ invitation to spend time with him and I know he will bless you for it! 

Today’s podcast was adapted from my poetry devotional called Invitations. For information on this devotional, or any Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to LynneLeite.com.  You will find the URL for this book and other resources in the podcast show notes. 

 I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend. In our next episode we will consider another invitation from Jesus. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.