Has there ever been a “suddenly” in your life?

The sudden death of a loved one?

The sudden attack of an illness?

The sudden answer to prayer?

Any form of surprise that we want in our lives must be a good one.

The Bible tells us about some “suddenly” that happened in the lives of a few people. Let us examine a few of them closely.

Suddenly the Lord said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tabernacle of meeting!” So the three came out. (Numbers 12:4)

And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and there she was, a leper. (Numbers 12:10)

Moses married an Ethiopian woman, which was against the Israelites’ custom.

Consequently, Moses’ siblings, Aaron and Miriam, began to doubt the authenticity of Moses’ relationship with God.

They criticized their brother saying, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” (Numbers 12:2 NLT)

They began to question whether God only spoke to Moses and not to them also. In those days God only speaks to His people through prophets.

Moses was not aware that his siblings were backbiting him, but God who sees and knows everything did.

Suddenly!

“The Lord said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tabernacle of meeting!” So the three came out.” (Numbers 12:4 NLT)

This is interesting because the three siblings even though they were not all together clearly heard the voice of God commanding them to go immediately to the Tabernacle. This was the place where God usually spoke to the people through Moses.

The sudden intervention from God indicated that He was angry about the situation.

But, why was God angry? Wasn’t Moses disobeying the laws of God by marrying outside their nationality?

The fact that Moses married someone from a different nation and race was not the important issue.

God was angry with Aaron and Miriam because they spoke against their brother who had seen the form of God (Numbers 12:8)

Moses saw the form of God in the cleft of the rock. No one else had ever obtained that level of intimacy with God and as such should be feared.

Thus, the judgment of God was swift.

Suddenly!

“Miriam became leprous, as white as snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and there she was, a leper.” (Numbers 12:10 NKJV) 

The judgment of the Lord will appear suddenly on those who persecute the righteous.

For when they say, “Peace and safety!”

Then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. (1 Thess. 5:3)

Read Joshua 8

A time of refreshing

Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” (1 Kings 19:5NKJV)

Elijah has just completed a monumental task in obedience to God. He executed a tremendous victory on Mount Carmel against the false prophets of Baal proving to everyone who was the one true and living God (1 Kings 18). Afterward, he slayed all the prophets of Baal.

However, Jezebel the queen became angry and threatened to kill Elijah. So Elijah ran for his life.

Despite Elijah’s victory, he became emotionally and physically weak and fear overcame him. This can happen to God’s people who worked tirelessly for the Kingdom of God.

But, when you are weak God will show His strength mightily through you and there will be a,

Suddenly!

God will refresh your body and revitalize your soul with living water and the bread of life.

Hallelujah!

Let us pray that God will hide us in the cleft of the rock and protect us from the “suddenly” of the enemy.

We pray that the Lord will avenge the enemy of our souls suddenly.

We pray that when we are lonely and feeling desolate the Lord will visit us suddenly.

We pray that when we are tired and weak the Lord will strength us suddenly.

We pray that our “suddenly” will be directly from the Lord to save us and to give us a time of refreshing.

In Jesus name, Amen!