Are you expecting? If you are expecting a child, I want to say congratulations! You have a precious gift hand crafted by the Father. But I am not talking about children in this case. I am talking about are you expecting in your relationship with the Lord? Expecting Him to show up, to use you in His plan? There are many times in the Bible where I just think "man this person or these people are not expecting God to work. When times are tough, they throw faith out the window."
In Exodus Chapter 14, the people of Israel felt trapped in between the Egyptians (who were coming after them) and the Red Sea. At this point the people complained, saying they would rather be enslaved than die in the desert. You see from the vantage point of the people they were stuck between a rock and a hard place, how in the world were they going to make it? BUT God had other plans, He knew this opportunity would only show his Glory more. Here the Israelites were not expecting God to show up. They could only see the physical perspective, little did they know the Lord had a path planned despite of the situation.
In Mark, at the end of chapter 4, Jesus and His disciples are crossing a lake when a storm breaks out. The disciples are worried and scared, but Jesus is sleeping. They go to wake Him saying "do you not care!? it is storming!" and Jesus tells the storm to be still. Once this happens, it amazes the disciples that the wind and waves listened to Him. Now this is where I think "all right, you just woke up Jesus to do something right? Why are you then amazed when He acts?" They were not expecting a way out because they did not see a way out. To them it was simple, they were in a middle of a storm, in a boat, going to drown. What was there to do? Faith was thrown out the window. BUT again the Lord had other plans, He knew where the authority lie and it was not in what He could see in the physical.
You know what, I can be "those people" or "that person" sometimes. I need to make sure I am expecting God to show up in every circumstance. When God says something, expect that He will do it. Expecting with God, is knowing when He just speaks the words it will happen as in Luke 7. Expecting with God, is acting on faith before you even see it work out just as in Hebrews 11: 7. Expecting with God, is preparing the field given to you for whatever the Lord has in store. I want my relationship with the Lord to be expecting. Even with these times being strange and unfamiliar territory, it causes me to be expecting. So many "things" or distractions are turning off, the world seems to be spiraling and there is nowhere to turn but to the Lord. We can not focus on the physical circumstances but place our eyes on the One who is always in control.
Lord, thank you for your abundant grace and mercy! I just pray Lord that you soften the heart of these people. Soften my heart Lord so I am receptive to what you have planned for me. In times of uncertainty I pray people will be drawn to your steadfastness, peace and love. Bring forth your laborers to bring in those you are calling. Thank you Lord! You are Adonai, Yahweh, Everlasting King. I love you Jesus and help me to love you more. I come to you expecting a change, expecting an increase in your kingdom. You are mighty and forever. Thank Lord.
In Jesus' name, AMEN.