May 19, 2008

Anticipation

Micca Monda Campbell

      "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him."

Psalm 62:6 (KJV)

Devotion:

Children anticipate everything from birthdays to family vacations. Yes, they await good things with expectancy. There's no doubt that we once did too. As we grew older, however, we lost some of our anticipation. Maybe it's because we've been disappointed one too many times. Perhaps we don't expect anything because we don't feel worthy of receiving anything good. Or maybe, we just don't believe it's meant for good things to come our way.

Take prayer for example. How many times do you and I petition the Lord and then fail to expect an answer? John tells us, "Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask; because we obey his commands and do what pleases him" (1 John 3:21-22). You and I can have this confidence. In fact, as obedient children of God, we should be so confident in Him that we expect good things like answered prayer, a healed relationship, the home coming of a wayward child, forgiveness of sins--whatever we ask.

When my children ask something of me, they expect an answer. Then they anticipate the fulfilling of that answer. As children of God we should do no less. We should anticipate great things from our great God. We should expect Him to hear our cries and respond, so much so that we are looking with anticipation all around us for His answer and provision.

Bible teacher, Henry Blackaby says, "After we pray, whatever happens next is God's answer." Wow. I sometimes miss God's loving response to my prayer because I don't anticipate a reply.

The Bible teaches us that believing is seeing. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). We must believe in order to see God's provisions. Let me ask you what I often ask myself: "Do you simply hope God will answer your needs, or do you see God's generous hand at work in your life? Do you wait with expectancy or do you doubt His provision?" He may seem slow at responding, but He's always right on time. While it would be nice if God owned the same watch as we do, you and I can always count on His perfect timing.

We will see God when we anticipate His involvement in our lives. We will see Him when we can say, "His answer and provision may come slow, but they are sure to come, and I will wait with expectation."

Dear Lord, today I chose to anticipate Your work in my life. Show me great and mighty things that only you can do. And I will praise Your Holy Name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Intimacy with God Prayer Journal by Tara Furman

Prayers to My King by Sheri Rose Sheperd

Visit Micca Campbell's blog

Application Steps: 

Write your prayers in a journal and then record whatever happens next. Watch with anticipation as you record each response and see how God is working on your behalf.

Reflections: 

Reflect on your answers to the questions within this devotion: Do you simply hope God will answer your needs, or do you see God's generous hand at work in your life? Do you wait with expectancy or do you doubt His provision?

Power Verses:

Psalm 27:14, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (NIV)

Psalm 145:15-16, "The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing." (NIV)

Psalm 130:5, "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope." (NIV)

© 2008 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

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Matthews, NC 28105

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