Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Expectation

In that day, you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, He will give it to you.  Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.  John 16:23-24

Why is it that we would so much rather live in desperation than expectation?  Why do we say we believe and act differently?  I am always so amazed when God answers my prayers, and yet I asked for His help.  It is always a surprise to me that He is listening, that He cares, and that it actually worked!  When He answers prayer about a little thing, it proves to me that He is in control of the big things too.  He hears, He sees, He knows.  These little answered prayers, about minor things, are a sign to me that He is faithful.  I am so awestruck when it happens because I don’t expect it.  I ask, but I don’t expect an answer and then when it happens it is like magic to me.  It is little drops of hope that He places before me to help me see that He is in control of all the big problems with big hopelessness.  
We pray to God and ask Him to fix our problems, to rescue us, to help us find lost socks, but do we really expect Him to do it?  Do we ask, and then live, in the expectation that He really does care enough, or that He is capable of answering our prayers – any of them?  Large and small?  Some of those little prayers that He answers that amaze me, don’t amaze me because I found what I was desperately looking for.  They overwhelm me with an amazing faith and belief that God does answer prayer, and not only that He answers prayer but that He is in control.  He is in control of the lost socks and of the safety of my children, and the outcome of a loved one’s battle with cancer.  He is in control of this world. He is in control of all things.  Expect it. Live like you believe it.  Revel in the realization of what He has done when a prayer is answered and allow the awe of what has just happened to change you.  

Scripture to Claim: 
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.   Mark 11:24

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