“Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God … in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5: 2-3 NIV)
As believers, we have hope in God’s promises. When we add faith through hearing the Word of God and putting that Word into action, we begin to expect God to act.
What do you do when you expect something? You look for it. You work toward it. You get yourself ready for it.
When we walked in darkness, many of us expected disappointment and we usually we got it. We let circumstances and people drag us down. We’d say, “Didn’t I tell you? I guess things will never change!”
As believers, God wants us on the offensive, not on the defensive. When people come against us, we need to do three things. First, we need to examine ourselves to see if the “attack” was warranted in any way. If we did something to cause the other person to come against us, we need to repent and ask their forgiveness. Secondly, God asks us to pray for our enemies. Pray for that person and specifically ask God what is behind their action, so you will know how to pray. Often the hurts that made them act have nothing to do with us.
Walking in Expectancy
Finally, as we walk in expectancy, God’s Word tells us to respond in love, to overlook each other’s faults, and to make peace. When your opponent expects harshness and receives love instead, he will receive a “spiritual shock” that could turn him toward God.
As a child of God, we’ve learned that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Also Paul in James 1:2 (Living Bible) says “Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.”
God has grand and glorious plans for us. They are so much bigger than we could ever envision! “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)
If God has put a hope and desire in your heart, He will make the way! It is your job to walk the path He has set for you. It is His job to make it happen! God wants you to be successful! After all, you are His kid! You’ve made it this far and he’s proud of you! Start walking and expecting! As always, a prayer can put God’s plan in motion.
Dear Heavenly Father –
Help me to be Your follower, Your servant.
Put deep into my spirit the hopes and dreams
You have for my life.
Remove all my despair and disappointment
and replace it with Your expectancy.
Keep me on the narrow path that leads to life!
I ask these things in Jesus’ name!
AMEN
DLH – February 12, 1995
Shirley, MA, Medium Security Prison