What role does divine intervention play in our personal spiritual journeys today? Setting the Scene 1 Kings 11:18: “They set out from Midian and went to Paran. They took men with them from Paran and went to Egypt—to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave Hadad a house, food, and land.” What We Notice in the Verse • A vulnerable child (Hadad) is preserved. • A hostile nation (Egypt) unexpectedly shelters him. • Ordinary travel details mask God’s larger purpose (see 1 Kings 11:14: “Then the LORD raised up against Solomon an adversary, Hadad the Edomite…”). Divine Intervention on Display • Protection: God keeps Hadad alive when Edom is destroyed. • Provision: Pharaoh supplies “a house, food, and land.” • Positioning: Years later Hadad becomes an instrument of judgment against Solomon’s idolatry. Lessons for Our Spiritual Journeys Today • God is crafting the long-view of our lives, not just the moment we’re in. • He often works through unlikely people and places— even “Pharaohs.” • What feels like detour or delay may be His staging ground for future usefulness. Four Common Patterns of Divine Intervention Today 1. Preserving grace – Psalm 121:7 “The LORD will keep you from all harm; He will watch over your life.” 2. Strategic redirects – Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.” 3. Unexpected provision – Philippians 4:19 “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” 4. Disciplinary wake-up calls – Hebrews 12:6 “The Lord disciplines the one He loves.” Responding When God Steps In • Recognize: Trace His fingerprints in circumstances instead of labeling them random. • Receive: Accept His provision, even when it comes through surprising channels. • Realign: Adjust priorities when His intervention exposes sin or drift. • Rejoice: Thank Him that nothing in your story is wasted (Romans 8:28). Verses That Echo the Theme • Genesis 50:20 – God turns evil intentions for good. • Acts 12:7-10 – An angel frees Peter; chains fall off. • 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Takeaway Hadad’s quiet escape reminds us that divine intervention is rarely flashy but always purposeful. In Christ, we can trust the same sovereign hand to guide, guard, and grow us every step of the journey. |
    |