Living expectantly means trusting God's promises daily, with faith and hope, anticipating His guidance, blessings, and answered prayers.
In life, it’s easy to get bogged down by the challenges we face, the setbacks that seem endless, and the frustrations that cloud our path. We often get caught up in the idea that everything will take a long time, that change and breakthroughs are far off. This mentality can affect how we approach God’s promises, how we pray, and how we believe for the future. But Scripture calls us to live expectantly. God is not a distant, indifferent figure who takes forever to act. He is a God who hears our prayers and responds with grace, favor, and mercy. When we live expectantly, we align ourselves with God’s perfect timing, trusting that He is about to do something extraordinary in our lives, sooner than we think.
Psalm 5:3 (KJV) tells us, “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” This verse emphasizes the importance of coming before God with a heart full of expectation, knowing that He hears us and will answer our prayers. We are not to approach God with a sense of doubt or resignation, but with faith and confidence, believing that He will do what He has promised. It is easy to slip into a mindset of waiting for something good to happen in the distant future, but God encourages us to have a “soon” mentality—believing that He is at work even now and that the breakthrough we need is just around the corner.
Living with an expectant heart is a powerful choice that shifts our perspective. Instead of resigning ourselves to circumstances or assuming that change will take years, we can believe that God will act soon. It is not about denying reality but choosing to see things from God’s perspective. In Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV), God reminds us, “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.” God's plans for us are good, and He desires to give us a hopeful future. When we live with expectancy, we position ourselves to receive His blessings and promises sooner rather than later.
We can draw strength from the knowledge that God’s timing is perfect, and His ways are higher than ours. Even when things do not seem to be progressing as we would like, God is working behind the scenes. Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV) says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” The key is to trust in His timing and to believe that He is working everything together for our good, even if we can’t yet see the full picture.
When we approach God with an expectant heart, we are also reminded that He is faithful. His promises are not vague or uncertain; they are sure and steadfast. Hebrews 10:23 (KJV) encourages us to “hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.” We are called to stand firm in our belief that what God has spoken will come to pass, even when it seems delayed or impossible. Faith is not passive; it actively waits with anticipation, trusting that God will fulfill His Word.
Living expectantly means not settling for less than what God has promised. It means refusing to be discouraged by temporary setbacks or by what we see with our natural eyes. We may face challenges and delays, but we must choose to remain hopeful and confident that God is at work. Romans 8:28 (KJV) reminds us, “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.” This verse reassures us that even when things don’t look favorable, God is orchestrating everything for our good. The breakthrough is coming, and we must live with the belief that it will arrive sooner than we expect.
An expectant heart is also one that continuously reminds God of His promises. In prayer, we are not to come with doubt but with confidence, knowing that God hears us. Psalm 18:6 (KJV) says, “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.” Just as a child eagerly waits for a gift from a parent, we are to wait for God’s answer with trust and anticipation. When we remind God of His promises, we are not informing Him, but declaring our belief in His faithfulness and goodness.
It is also important to remember that living expectantly involves an attitude of praise. We do not wait passively, but actively engage with God’s presence, thanking Him for what is already on the way. Psalm 33:22 (KJV) says, “Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.” Our hope in God is what fuels our praise and gratitude. As we wait for God’s timing, we are to praise Him for His goodness, His faithfulness, and His promises that are already in motion.
In living expectantly, we must not limit God by thinking too small or setting boundaries on what He can do. Ephesians 3:20 (KJV) reminds us, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Our God is able to do far more than we could ever imagine, and He is not restricted by time or circumstances. When we expect great things from Him, we align ourselves with His unlimited power and open ourselves to receive His abundant blessings.
As we live expectantly, we are called to actively pursue the plans that God has for us. We are not to sit back and wait idly, but to continue to walk in faith, take steps of obedience, and trust that God is guiding us. Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV) encourages us to “forget those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” We are to keep moving forward with an attitude of expectation, knowing that God is leading us toward greater things.
Living with an expectant heart changes the way we see the world and the challenges we face. Instead of seeing obstacles as insurmountable, we see them as opportunities for God to show His power. We no longer wait for a far-off future but live with the confidence that something good is on the horizon. By maintaining a “soon” mentality, we position ourselves to see God move in extraordinary ways. When we expect God’s favor and blessings, we are actively aligning ourselves with His perfect will and receiving His promises.
Father God, thank You for the promises You have made to us. We choose to live with an expectant heart, knowing that You are faithful and that Your timing is perfect. Help us to trust in Your ability to bring about breakthroughs sooner than we expect. We thank You for Your favor and goodness in our lives, and we look forward to the amazing things You are about to do in our lives. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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