As I was resting yesterday afternoon, the Lord spoke to me and placed an interesting question on my heart. What is the difference between an expectation and expectancy? God showed me that expectation will lead us to a place of frustration. Whereas expectancy will lead us into encounters of His presence.
Let’s look at the meaning of these words in the dictionary;expectation
a strong belief that something will happen or be the case.”reality had not lived up to expectations”expectancy
the state of thinking or hoping that something, especially something good, will happen.”they waited with an air of expectancy“
The Lord showed me that, so often we put an expectation on ourselves, others and Him through our beliefs that are simply not true. We set impossible goals expecting ourselves, others or even the Lord to come through and when this doesn’t happen the way we want it to, we get frustrated and bewildered. 1 Samuel 13:8
The Voice (VOICE)
8 Saul waited for Samuel for seven days, the amount of time he had been told by Samuel to wait. But the prophet did not come to Gilgal, and the people began to slip away. A few more days and Saul would have no army left, so he decided to take matters into his own hands.This a great example of expectation leading to frustration, bewilderment and great loss. As Saul lost his kingdom and the Lord’s favour that day. He allowed His expectations of, others, himself and even the Lord to lead him to act outside of God’s will.
However, when we open our eyes, thoughts and loosen the grip with a heart of expectancy, we’ll never be let down. This allows us to fully embrace not only our own r journey but others in seeing God’s completion.In Daniel 3:17-18(NIV)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego say this remarkable answer to the king who was about to throw them into a fiery furnace. 18 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the Godwe serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from yourhand, O king. Buteven if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will notserve your gods or worship theimage of gold you have set up.”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego had incredible faith-based on expectancy, not expectation. They knew God could save them, and trusted Him one hundred per cent.I believe that faith with expectancy is what the Lord is showing us how we should live today. We need to believe and trust that the Lord knows what is best for us.
In our current situation of isolation, the verse that comes to mind is Romans 8:28 (NKJV), as it never explains how the Lord is going to work all things for good, just that He will. This is what is called walking with expectancy is all about.
A friend came to me for advice concerning a financial problem and as I listen to himI felt the Lord say, ”Go back to the institute and tell them you made a mistake”. Then tell him to say, ”If there’s anything they can do to help it will be much appreciated and leave it ”. The Lord gave me Romans 8:28 for him, which he obeyed and did as the Lord said. A month later he received a phone call from the institute advising they had decided to fully reimburse him for all he had lost. This is how the Lord works if our faith is based on expectancy.
Here is your challenge today;
- Ask the Lord if your goals and dreams are based on a foundation of expectancy or expectation?
- If they are based on expectation. Then ask the Lord to show you how to change your perspective to align with His will.
Father, We ask you to help us today to discover a new faith-based expectancy. Enable us to see more clearly that will lead us closer to You.Amen!
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerate Pastors / Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries
