Expectancy

My grand baby Catherine, now age 4 is an active, tomboyish styled child with hints of diva, pretty and drama mixed in. She is fearless, tough, moves quickly and climbs often.  When she occasionally would hit the ground she would always pop up and say "I'm OK",  in this spry, don't mess with me attitude. Our bible study lesson this week reminded me of that. For the lesson was about knowing that in spite of circumstances, falls, backlashes, overcommitment, and challenges if we are walking with God we know that "we are good".  Not good in a perfect sense but good in a sense of knowing that everything is going to be ok, and not to sweat the momentary or seasonal distractions that have pulled us off course.    

Well she's back.  Pam Thompson has once again begun her annual bible study at Second Baptist.  Her energetic, colorful, scripture founded presentation was once again a declaration of God's truth, a reminder of His continued presence and authority, and encouragement to know that no matter what the circumstances are about you, "you are good" when you are depending on God; He has got your back.  If you are looking for a non threatening bible study with no homework, that only takes an hour out of your day that will fill your heart and spirit with encouragement that comes only from God, then pop on by. You can sneak in the back, be blessed by the lesson and then bolt forward to your daily chores. (Tuesday, 10-11 old SB sanctuary. $15.00 for the semester lessons). This is not an advertisement only an offering that has enriched my life that I want to pass along so that you too can be uplifted and blessed.  Jennifer, my daughter encouraged Jamie and I to join her last year, we did and here we are back this year. A gift as precious as this bible study should be shared, for it has God centered lifestyle applications that are priceless. 

Th title of the series is "Great Expectations".  We live in a world where expectations are a central theme.  We put them on others and others put them on us.  "An expectation is an assumption placed upon an event or a person.  It stems from the flesh and is a fear of man or a fear of experiences (outcome). Expectancy, on the other hand is a hope or anticipation placed entirely on the Lord. It stems from a healthy fear of the Lord and is aggressive in its agreement with the will and word of God, even though present circumstances might appear contrary to what is being hoped for at the time".  (Pam Thompson)

I am not going to go into "the fear of the Lord" deal, for that is a topic that stands alone for another devotional, but what I do want to 

key on today are the words in Micah 7: Do not trust a neighbor.put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips. For a son dishonors his father  a daughter rises up against her mother,a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.

These verses cover a bunch of ground, and say be careful careful careful who you trust! Especially the ones who are closest to us. 

I think if you look over those verses again, you will see, as I have, that I have come face to face with many of those very trust factors, and have been hurt, disappointed, and disenchanted, and sure that I too have been the one who has hurt, disappointed or disenchanted others. 

But the verse following says:

"But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation.  My God will hear me, Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy, though I fall, I will rise: though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me." 

I mean this is a great reminder of God's authority over all things.  The enemy is excited when we are knocked off our feet, and sometimes I can just visualize him dancing in delight, and singing praises over his intended destruction.  But there is a fighter side in me that says, wait a minute:  you are not going to win, you are not going to have authority over me just because my circumstances are lousy, and your gloating will soon dissolve into defeat. My God is watching over me and I am "Good" because I trust HIM and His ways even in the midst of my darkness. I am OK, as my Catherine would say out loud to who ever was watching, and she would get up, brush herself off, and go on about her play. God is Big, bigger than the enemy, bigger that our circumstances and bigger than any power we can possibly imagine. 

We are to watch expectantly and trust God as we wait for HIm to interact; for God is watching us and He will be the light we need in darkness,  the strength we need in weakness, the wisdom we need in chaos, the courage we need in fear and the confidence we need in battle. He is the one to trust who will not disappoint us, for His love is abounding, and His mercies are great.  Blessed are we who know Him and trust Him.

Dear Lord, Help me to live in expectancy; that you will overrule the things that are no good in my life or for my life, that you will do battle on my account and that you will give me the will to trust you no matter what circumstances are before me.  Amen

Praise God wherever you are or whatever situation he has allowed you to be in; His glory will shine through!