Bible Reading: Isaiah 20:1-end
“And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory” – Isaiah 20:5 (KJV)
Expectation can be positive or negative. When expectation is based on what one can get from man, then it can be said to be negative. It is negative because such expectation can be disappointed and consequently lead to grief and hurt. Such expectation is built on the flesh and not spiritually discerned. It is prone to fail. Such failure can lead to depression and loss of faith. Expectation based on looking up to man is putting hope in the ability of man who is not eternal and can pass away anytime. Putting hope on man is denying the all sufficiency in Christ, hence Jeremiah 17:5(KJV) says, “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departed from the LORD.” The scriptures says “For he shall be like the heath in the desert and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited” – Jeremiah 17:6(KJV). This is the aftermath of hope built on man. It is no wonder the bible says “The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.” – Proverbs 10:28(KJV)
Faith thrives on positive expectation which is built on God. Prayers offered without expectancy does not attract answer from God. The knowledge of Christ who is the wisdom of God enhances your expectation to produce result. “So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off”. – Proverbs 24: 14(KJV). Even when your expectation lingers to materialize the bible admonishes that, “For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off” – Proverbs 23: 18(KJV). This is the tenacity of positive expectation. The hope that is focused on the fact that God cannot fail. When we put absolute trust in God and His ability and build our expectation on him we become a recipient of his will. Remember we are heirs and joint heirs with Christ. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” – Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV).
Prayer: Father, I plead for your grace to remain steadfast in you expecting the materialization of your promises in my life.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo