Setting Expectations

I’ve been giving some thought to what people expect from God. The thoughts come from the way we speak to other people about Him.

“Just wait, God has the right person for you,” said to someone looking for true love. Really? would you want to suggest they read the book of Hosea right after hearing that?

“God has great things planned for you,” said to someone uncertain about their future. Again, would you suggest they read:

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. (Luke 2:25 KJV)

Suppose God has in mind that we simply wait for the Lord’s coming – are we prepared to do that? Simply wait? It’s suggested for us elsewhere:

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psalms 27:14 KJV)

That’s how David closes a Psalm that begins with his statement:

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalms 27:1 KJV)

Mostly, we are afraid of not achieving our goals. It is entirely possible that we will not. What should concern us is achieving God’s goal in our lives because we can’t possibly know the long term results.

Sarah didn’t wait on the Lord and Ishmael was born. David didn’t wait on the Lord and Uriah died. Judas didn’t wait – yet God’s plan was fulfilled – and Judas died.

How many years did Joseph wait? Through sibling betrayal, false accusation, imprisonment, forgotten, elevated, then reunion with his family. Was the wait worth it?

Jesus was very specific about planning ahead:

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:30-33 KJV)

Seek God first. He’ll add the things necessary to accomplish His purpose:

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) (2 Corinthians 9:8-10 KJV)

Bottom line, we should not be telling anyone what God has in store for them, except the wonderful gift of His merciful salvation. Instead, direct them to the Bible and join them in prayer that God’s plan will be manifest in their lives – and in our own.