We all have expectations in life. If you are married, then
you have expectations of your spouse. If you have children, then you have
expectations of them. If you have a job, then you have expectations of your
employer. As an employer, you have expectations of your employees.
We also have expectations of the world around us. The weather,
the Ocean, the Mountains, the Animal kingdom, both wild and domestic. Because of
science, we expect certain things to be consistent, like a chair to hold us
when we sit down; or the wings on our airplane to suspend us above the earth’s
surface, as we are propelled to our destination.
I could go on, but I think you get the point. We live in a
world of faith. We are taught the basic law of physics, and believe that there
will be oxygen to fill our lungs when we breathe. We believe that most wild
animals are dangerous and approach with caution, or with weapons to defend
ourselves. We believe the Sun will rise in the east, and set in the west every
day, and when it is not seen, we still believe that it is still there, but
hidden from sight by clouds, clouds that is, that we believe to be vaporized
water, waiting to become solid again and fall to the earth as rain.
I have to snicker a little as I think of the atheist going through
life in these simple acts of faith, yet denying the one who created all the
laws our science has discovered and taught us, which we have come to trust as
truth, and reply on them to be… Consistent.
What about the Christian? We are the ones that have believed
the truth of God’s word, that he is God, that he created us as eternal beings,
that because of sin, we were separated from him (true death), and that because
of his great love for us, this God who created us, sent his Son, our Lord Jesus
Christ, to suffer death (separation from God) when he took responsibility for
our (my) sins. We believe that because of that act of sacrifice, he is able to
offer to every human being forgiveness of sin and restoration to fellowship
with himself. To sum up, we were dead (separated from God) because of our sin.
Jesus paid the debt (death) for our sin. And everybody that believes God is
brought into a relationship with God again (eternal life, no longer dead).
Now, what can we expect from God every day? Eternal life. Hope
beyond this world and its system. Peace. Love. Joy. Fulfilment. Family. Comfort.
Encouragement. Super power. Direction. Treasure in heaven. I bet that you could
go on and expand tis list, so it has got to make you smile as you think about
no longer being dead, but alive unto God, and called his child. I mean, who
else can say to their classmates, My dad is God.
Now, what does God
expect from you? I could start a list that would be very valid. But instead, I want
to just mention one thing that the Lord Jesus told his disciples, it is what he
expects from us, and maybe sums up everything that can be said. God expects us
to expect him. Mar 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
I read this, and had to stop and meditate for a moment, I asked myself this, “Do
I EXPECT God today?” isn’t that what is meant here, to watch, or to expect
something to happen, to expect someone to come? Do I expect God to empower me
to serve him today? Do I expect God to provide my needs today? Do I expect God
to protect me today? Do I expect God to come back for me today?
Given a huge list of God’s
expectations, I could easily attempt to meet most of them, and make a good
excuse for not accomplishing them all in a day, but when I think that there is
just one thing God expects from me, I no longer have an excuse for failing, just
a looking down as I scuff my feet in shame.
Our God is so great, and
greatly to be praised, and greatly to be served. He has always proved faithful.
Remember that this morning. Stop and ask yourself, do I expect God today?
Watch, he expects you to.
