EXPECTATION OR EXPECTANCY: TRUSTING GOD TO KEEP HIS PROMISES

Living in Expectation

A few days ago I read the passage in Luke’s gospel where it talks about the commencement of John the Baptist’s ministry. John soon gathered a following. People were curious about him, could he be the promised Messiah? Of course, when questioned, John puts them right. He tells them he is not worthy to even tie the sandals of the one who is coming after him.

But it was this line in Luke 3:15 that stood out to me,

‘the people were in expectation’                   

There were very many people in that time living in a state of expectation. They were longing for the fulfilment of God’s promise of the coming deliverer. On the lookout for Him. Hopeful. Excited. Expectant.

Expectancy, not Expectation

It reminded me of a time when God spoke really clearly to me.

I live with a chronic debilitating health condition, one that appeared suddenly, without warning, and altered my life completely. I believe in a healing God. That is my reason for writing, for sharing my stories. I believe God sees us in our brokenness and wants to bring restoration into our lives. Not long after I was diagnosed, He gave me a promise, that He would rebuild and restore my life (Jeremiah 31:4). I have clung to that promise ever since.

But you see, when we are waiting on the fulfilment of a promise, sometimes it is easy to expect God to work in a certain way. For me, I craved full, instantaneous, miraculous physical healing. Anything less, and could I be sure that it was God?

He spoke very gently to me. I want you to wait with expectancy, not expectation.

The Difference…

There is a difference. Let me try and explain it using my gorgeous grandchildren as an example.

When they come to Nana’s house, they come knowing that they are going to be loved, fed and cared for. There is an expectancy that we will look after them, and that they will be safe with us. However, they also come with expectation. They expect a certain flavour cordial, with a specific brand of biscuit, as they arrive. They expect that we will have meat pasta (Bolognese) for dinner, followed by ice-cream. They expect a bath and song videos before they go home. When we change things, it isn’t always met with their approval! Except the cold water hose shower instead of the bath last week when the weather was very warm… they loved that. Now they will probably expect that every time they come … even when the weather is dull and cool and it isn’t a good idea!

We pander a bit to them, because we adore them, and it isn’t hard to do so. We also accept that they are young and not mature enough always to accept doing things differently.

Expecting things of God

It is the same with us. God is such a loving, kind, generous parent. He knows what we like, what makes us happy, but sometimes those things are not the best for us. It is all too easy to come to Him expecting Him to do things the way we want Him too. Or the way we have seen Him do it before. Or in someone else’s life.

It is not wrong to remind Him of His promises, often, in fact that is a really good thing to do – the Psalmists did it all the time. It is just wrong to fix our hearts and minds on what we think the fulfilment of the promise will look like.

The people of Jesus’ time lived with expectation. We know, because we know the rest of the story, that for many of them their expectations of who the Messiah was going to be, and what He was going to do, were not met in Jesus. He was a disappointment to them.

Expectancy

Expectancy is different. Expectancy says… I believe in a God who keeps His promises, and I trust Him to do what He knows is best for me.

Living in expectancy means living in faith. Trusting God’s Word and His character. Trusting His love for us. Trusting His wisdom and omnipotence.

Living in expectancy means living in hope. Fully believing that God will do all that He has promised, and finding a place of peace and joy, in the waiting.

Living in expectancy means living in excitement of what God is going to do and being ready to embrace it with gratitude when He does, whatever it looks like.

He is not done yet

Has God kept His promise to me? Yes, and it is ongoing. I have received a measure of healing, but it has been gradual and gentle, with a few bumps along the way. Is He done yet? No, I don’t believe He is finished with my restoration. I am still holding fast to His promises. But as I do, I am asking for His grace to keep waiting with expectancy, with an trusting heart, open to however He chooses to fulfil those in my life, and not with narrow minded expectation.

How about you?

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Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her heart is to share God’s heart for the broken; His love that pursues us, truth that frees us and hope that heals us. Her novels are set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, and tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. She has also published two devotionals based on the person and work of Jesus.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here