EXPECTATION

by Bill Sayer

What do you expect today? The same as yesterday, and likely the same again tomorrow? The following story indicates how one man’s whole expectation in life changed with an encounter…………

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When the crippled man saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. (Acts 3:3 – 7)

Before meeting Peter and John, what was the daily expectation of the lame man in this story? He would have expected to see a forest of legs passing him by, with the vast majority ignoring his supplication and need. But occasionally, someone responded with an invitation, and expectation would have surged in his being. Mostly, he would have received some minor amount of money, which he gratefully received, but which did not ultimately satisfy his need, requiring him to return again and again to begging at the temple courts.

Notice the sequence of events in the disciple’s encounter with this disabled man:

Supplication (his request for money);

Invitation (to look upon the disciples);

Expectation (his presumed need);

Visitation (God’s healing power released);

Satisfaction (his transformation – walking, leaping and praising God)

Like the lame man, we, too experience need (perhaps physical, emotional, relational, or financial), and will call out to the Lord in Supplication for Him to provide for us. Maybe we are aware of God’s Invitation in His word for relief from our struggles (for example, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” – Matthew 11:28), and Expectation rises within our being to see a change in our circumstances. But are our expectations grounded in meeting some temporary need that we have identified (like that of the lame man), or are we expectant of welcoming a Visitation of the living God into our lives who desires communion with us and who, as Jehovah Jireh (God our Provider), will sustain and completely satisfy us? Which do you think will bring us lasting Satisfaction?

God’s word for today is, look to Him; take your eyes off the circumstances and problems, and even off the belief in what you think you need, and expect a Visitation of the risen Lord Jesus who knows all our needs, and who will cause us to be Satisfied as we daily welcome His presence into our lives.

God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)