We have had some unexpected problems lately. First, I realized many of my spreadsheets were missing data and “history versions” came up with nothing. Then, we noticed our 19-year-old refrigerator wasn’t running right. Freezer foods began to thaw!

Thank the Lord we found help online for both problems. Soon, we were blessed to locate complete documents and after a good vacuuming of condenser coils, the fridge began to cool efficiently once again!

In the Old Testament story of Joseph, we find his father Jacob (AKA Israel) experiencing unexpected blessings. After decades of believing his son was dead, Jacob learns Joseph is a man of prominence in Egypt. Jacob moves his household to Egypt to escape a famine and reunite his family. At the end of his life, “Israel said to Joseph, ‘I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too” (Genesis 48:11).

Truly, God blesses us beyond what we can imagine. Read 2 Corinthians 9:8. “And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work” (CSB).

Digging into this verse, we find:

• The word every appears four times, plus one always.
• The verse begins with God. God is able.
• Then we find grace overflows to us. Grace is a gift we receive that we don’t deserve.
• God promises to provide everything we need.
• Finally, we learn why we receive unexpected blessings or grace. So that, “[we] may excel in every good work.”

We receive blessings so that we can bless others. God has given us a work to do and He makes sure we have everything we need to do that work.