Divine Intervention: How to Spot God at Work

Divine intervention. I’ve seen it countless times.
A kid stops short, right before he face-plants into a saguaro cactus.
An interview, one the college senior hadn’t planned on keeping, led to her dream job.
Specific guidance was given for prayer regarding a son going through (and successfully completing) Navy SEAL training.
Three unexpected years of private school tuition were miraculously covered.
And that’s just a few from my family.
God has stuffed Scripture with examples of His divine intervention. It’s our whispered invitation to trust Him.
Christmas ranks chief among them.
God not only intervened in the affairs of men, He moved to Earth and joined us. God had no intention of setting up a system of hoops for man to earn his salvation. Jesus came Himself to pay the penalty for our sin. Now He offers salvation for free. A gift to be received, not a wage to be earned.
It started with Christmas.
Matthew and Luke detailed the cast: an aging priest and his barren wife, a pregnant teen, a blue-collar construction guy, rough, wind-burned shepherds, the heavenly host, and a baby.
Divine intervention. Emmanuel. God with us.
And it didn’t stop. Two years later, Magi worshipped at a toddler’s feet. Gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh covered travel expenses for the unexpected flight to Egypt.
Twenty-eight years later, the Holy Spirit appeared like a dove as John the Baptist lifted his Savior from the river water. Divine empowerment for the coming temptations.
And on and on it goes.
Have you had those moments? A coincidence? Happenstance? A lucky break?
I have news for you. Luck had nothing to do with it.
Because God still intervenes today.
But how do we spot Him?
Divine Intervention: Designed
First, nothing happens by chance. Nothing. Your days have been planned since before time began, so expect God to play an active role.
. . . all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16 NIV
Divine Intervention: Active
Second, God has plans. For you. For me. That means He is actively working to make them happen. Right now. Every. Day.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Divine Intervention: Intentional
Third, what looks like coincidence rarely is. God leaves fingerprints everywhere. Ask Holy Spirit to help you see them.
When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Acts 16:7-9
Divine Intervention: Varied
Fourth, divine interventions can take many forms. Years ago, our family went to a beach in California. We hadn’t been out of the car five minutes when my husband and I both knew we needed to leave. Immediately. Nothing we saw gave us pause, but we knew we needed to get out of there. At the next beach, God’s peace was present, so we stayed. A presence or absence of peace often points to a divine intervention. Don’t dismiss an uneasy feeling in your gut. Thankfully, God gives us a heads-up when we need one.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Divine Intervention: Daily
Last, God talks to His kids. If you claim to be a Christ-follower, that’s you. Every day is filled with divine interventions because you can’t take a step without Him.
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me . . . You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me. Psalm 139:1,5
When he [Jesus] has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10:4
Don’t miss Him. He’s here. Right now. Emmanuel. God with me. God with you. Look for Him this season.
Q and A:
Share personal instances of divine intervention. How many can you catalog?
Download the Devour the Bible: One Bite at a Time (elementary-aged students) and Small Bites (preschoolers)sheets for a special Christmas Quiz.

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