“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:27b (NIV)
There is a huge difference between having expectations and be expectant! With expectations we have specific things we are looking to happen. And when they don’t look like we think they should we can become disappointed. Whereas, expectancy believes God is going to do something but we are not exactly sure what that will look like, and/or when that will happen. We are meant to be expectant, without expectations. If we are looking for something specific, we may miss what God actually does in our midst.
Paul wrote that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond all we could ever ask or even imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Those are strong words – exceedingly abundantly. That is not just abundant, but exceedingly beyond abundant! And, it is all in reference to what we can imagine! Expectancy does not put God in a box regarding what He is about to do, or even imagining what He could do! We told that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has in store for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9), and that is not just talking about heaven. Jesus Himself said that He came to give us life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10)! Other translations say life to the full (NIV), or satisfying (NLT), but most call it abundant. This word abundant refers to more than adequate, over-sufficient, overflowing, copious, extremely plentiful. God wants us to be expectant for more than we can contain or understand.
Pray with me…
Father, forgive me for every place I have put You in a box, and have limited You with my expectations. Wash off of me all disappointment that I carry. Release in me a new sense of expectancy, of believing that You are about to move and pour out exceeding abundance upon me, my family and the people who love You! Thank You for granting me faith to believe even when I can’t see, or when everything looks just the opposite. I do believe I will see Your goodness in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13).
