Perez

 But then he pulled back his hand, and out came his brother! “What!” the midwife exclaimed. “How did you break out first?” So he was named Perez.   Genesis 38.29

When was the last time you were surprised?

This is how the midwife and Tamar felt at the birth of Perez. He wasn’t expected to be the firstborn. Zerah, Perez’s twin brother, had the red cord tied around his wrist when his hand appeared first during birth. But, plot twist, Zerah pulled his hand back in, and then, unexpectedly, Perez made his entrance to the world before his brother.

I can’t even imagine being Tamar during this unexpected labour. Childbirth is scary and painful enough without your babies playing switcheroo. But God was with Perez in this unexpected situation, and Perez carried a reminder of that in his legacy and name, ‘he who bursts forth.’

God is with us in unexpected situations. The unexpected comes in both blessings and challenges. Sometimes they are both, and God is with us in it all. We need only to seek and ask Him to find Him. 

Father, unexpected things happen, and You are with me. Help me to trust and remember that nothing is unexpected to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen 

 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.    Ephesians 3.20