Great Expectations

There are many voices that are speaking into our lives and the question is which ones are we listening to?  Voices from our families, friends, religious and social communities have great influence.  Voices via the internet, social and main stream media, books, etc.  Rumors rooted in deception and fear run rampant and spread like wildfire resulting in evil expectations.

The Bible speaks to the days that we live in though it was written thousands of years ago.  Jeremiah 51:45 says, “My people, go out of her!  And let everyone deliver himself from the fierce anger of the Lord.  And lest your heart faint, and you fear for the rumor that will be heard in the land, a rumor will come one year, and after that, in another year a rumor will come, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler..”.    Many people’s hearts are faint and fear because of the circulating rumors and the evil expectations.

God’s voice spoken through the Scriptures is contrary to worldly rumors.   Jeremiah 29:11 says- “For I know the thoughts I think towards you,” says the Lord, “thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a reward and expectation.” When we start to put our trust in His word (=voice), He builds up our confidence in Him.  He hears our prayers in accordance with His will and rewards us by granting our petitions (1John 5:14-15).  These rewards will build a confidence in our hearts as we go through life, so next time we come to Him in prayer our expectations are greater.

A natural, simple illustration is when parents are “potty” training their toddlers.  We promised our little daughter that when she would use her potty chair we would give have her jelly beans.  Well it didn’t take her long for her expectancy to grow because she knew she would be rewarded with jelly beans.  If earthly parents want to reward their children how much more does our heavenly Father want to.

So don’t live with low expectations, that is, always expecting evil; the Lord Jesus wants you to have great expectations because He is the Most High God.  So trust Him as Lord and Savior and you will have His “rewards and great expectations” for your life.