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GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Expectation is similiar to hope and faith, yet unique.
Examples: the crowds who came together to see Jesus
Jeremiah 29:10,11
10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
11 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. {expected...: Heb. end and expectation}
Ps 5:4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
Ps 147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
-God is presently thinking good thoughts toward you, even as He is allowing you to reap from your wrong choices.
-God is not conniving some evil plan to hurt you; He doesn't delight in seeing you in turmoil.
-At the end of it all there is a sure expectation. Knowing who God is and how God works assures us that He will cause it to turn out victorious.
The children of God (Israel) are in 70 years of captivity.
-it may look bleak now, but it will be better by and by
Doesn't God understand my dilemna?
Is there a method to this madness?
Is God talking out of both sides of His mouth?
Jer. 5:25
Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
God cannot bless us unless He has us. Stay in His hands.
The Lord gives His people 5 precious promises here. We must see them from His point of view.
I. Promise of a Glorious Future
"an expected end"
In our case, there is not a specific timetable set as to when He may come by and bless us.
We come together and believe God is going to show up in our service. We don't have any idea of who the Holy Spirit may bring to the service, or who is going to receive a touch, nor how He is going to pour out the blessing; but we feel it in the air that He is going to do something good.
1Pe 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
-we are diamonds in the rough--at the moment it may look rather uncomely, but let hand of the Master keep chipping away.
II. Promise of a Plan
"visit....perform....causing"--God's plan in action
We are not on a haphazard, nonsensical journey through life. Yes, there is a method to is madness.
We have a map (the Bible) and a compass (the Holy Spirit)
Don't worry about a plan B. The plan of God will not fail if you remain submissive and obedient to Him.
III. Promise of a Fortune
Not a "pie in the sky"
Not the "prosperity gospel"
Eph. 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
1 Co. 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.(Isa. 64:4)
-earthly riches pale in comparison
IV. Promise of a Friend
He is contiually thinking about you.
He does not leave you in the hard times.
James 2:23 Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God
Prov. 17:17 A friend loveth at all times
Prov. 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother
V. Promise of Liberty
We are pilgrims anxiously awaitng
We are passing through.
Don't lose hope
Prov. 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
God has given us His promises, and he requires of us commitent.
KEEP YOURSELF PURE
Romans 12:1,2
1 ΒΆ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
-Quit squirming and trying to crawl off the altar.
SEEK GOD
2 Chr. 26:5
And he sought God in the days of Zechariah,....... and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.
PERSERVERE
Psalm 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
The devil wants you to believe that you are on a one-way street heading into a dead end. It looks like there is no way out and it is all doom and gloom. The Lord is very honest and forthright; He warns us of what we may have to go through, but assures us that He will be there at the end of the way, and you can expect a wonderful ending.
