WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF US? And now, Israel, what does
the LORD your God require of you? He requires you to fear him, to live
according to his will, to love and worship him with all your heart and soul,
and to obey the LORD’s commands and laws that I am giving you today for your
own good. (Deuteronomy 10:12-22)
GOD’S EXPECTATIONS ARE SPECIFIC.
Often we ask, “What does God expect of me?” Here Moses
gives a summary that is simple in form and easy to remember. Here are the
essentials: (1) fear God; (2) live according to his will; (3) love him; (4)
worship him with all your heart and soul; (5) obey his commands. How often we
complicate faith with man-made rules, regulations, and requirements. Are you
frustrated and burned out from trying hard to please God? Concentrate on his
real requirements and find peace. Respect, follow, love, serve, and obey him.
HOW SHOULD OUR EXPECTATIONS BE MEASURED?
Jesus responded,
“Elijah is indeed coming first to set everything in order. Why then is it written
in the Scriptures that the Son of Man must suffer and be treated with utter
contempt? But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and he was badly mistreated,
just as the Scriptures predicted.” (Mark 9:12-13)
OUR EXPECTATIONS MUST NOT LIMIT GOD.
It was difficult for the disciples to grasp the idea
that their Messiah would have to suffer. The Jews who studied the Old Testament
prophecies expected the Messiah to be a great king like David, who would
overthrow the enemy, Rome. Their vision was limited to their own time and
experience. They could not understand that the values of God’s eternal kingdom
were different from the values of the world. They expected relief from their
present problems. But deliverance from sin is far more important than
deliverance from physical suffering or political oppression. Our understanding
of and appreciation for Jesus must go beyond what he can do for us here and
now. Our expectations of what God will do must always include the fact that our
perspective is very limited, too.
Soon a gale
swept down upon them as they rowed, and the sea grew very rough. They were
three or four miles out when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water
toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, “I am here!
Don’t be afraid.” (John 6:18-20)
FAITH OUGHT TO INCLUDE GREAT EXPECTATION.
The terrified disciples probably thought they were
seeing a ghost (Mark 6:49). But if they had thought about all they had already
seen Jesus do, they could have accepted this miracle. They were frightened-they
didn’t expect Jesus to come, and they weren’t prepared for his help. Faith is a
mind-set that expects God to act. When we act on this expectation, we can
overcome our fears.
One of the
things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to
see you. (Romans 1:10)
GOD’S ANSWERS WON’T ALWAYS FIT OUR EXPECTATIONS.
When you pray continually about a concern, don’t be
surprised at how God answers. Paul prayed to visit Rome so he could teach the
Christians there. When he finally arrived in Rome, it was as a prisoner (see
Acts 28:16). Paul prayed for a safe trip, and he did arrive safely-after
getting arrested, slapped in the face, shipwrecked, and bitten by a poisonous
snake. God’s ways of answering our prayers are often far from what we expect.
When you sincerely pray, God will answer-although sometimes with timing and in
ways you do not expect.
Children of God, Almighty God is expecting something great from you.
Give your life to Jesus Christ wholeheartedly and fear the Lord your God and
Obey His Word and also do His will to the end it shall be well with you in
Jesus name. Keep on ready this Magazine; I pray the glory of the Lord will
continue to shine in your life and the Family in Jesus name.
For
Prayer and Counseling:
Christ
Apostolic Church Divine Rewards Ikeja
God’s
Glory Zone, Box 263 Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: 08034945702, 08026161601.
Jafolayan5@gmail.com
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