Hebrews 11:1 says “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Hope is a powerful word. Modern-day language has diminished it’s meaning to mean a “weak wish”. But the hope God talks about in the Bible is a powerful force that leads to full manifestation of what we are believing for. It is defined as confident expectation.
I like that – Confident expectation; which is an expectation that focuses on the desired result, and not the dreaded outcome.
How often do we get out of bed in the morning with an expectation that is focused confidently on that which we are believing for, rather than facing the day expecting things to go wrong or to be challenging? How often do we expect favour and blessing to come our way, for the kids to behave, for our relationships and jobs to be satisfying and fruitful, for things to go well for us?
With six children we often hear parents, or those thinking of being parents speak about dreading their children’s teenage years. They worry about all the trouble or problems their kids might get into, and they often expect them to “mess up”, or have plenty of issues. As parents we have had to be strong, and put firm boundaries in place, which have not always been appreciated at the time by our kids. But we have chosen, according to what we see in God’s word, to confidently expect our kids to be happy, intelligent, successful, and passionate about their lives, their relationship with Jesus and with others. It’s what we pray, speak over them, and expect God to do in their lives.
We can’t fear the worst, because that causes the force of fear, rather than faith in God’s care and goodness to go into operation. Fear is a force, just as faith is, and God asks us to have faith, and to trust in Him. He wants us to live by faith, to walk by faith, and to speak and pray words of faith. It’s that powerful, confident expectation that moves both heaven and earth.
“For we walk by faith, and not by sight.” (1 Corinthians 5:11)
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)
The story of blind Bartimaeus is a great example of this. (Mark10:46–47 (NKJV)
“Now [Jesus and His disciples] came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out. . . .
Bartimaeus must had heard how Jesus went about healing the sick. And now Jesus was walking by him. Bartimaeus clearly had high expectations that he, too, could be healed, because he immediately began calling out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ ” (v. 47).
When we begin to expect something from God, there will be people around us who will try to squash our expectations. They will be quick to tell us why something can’t happen. The people around Bartimaeus told him to be quiet, but Bartimaeus wouldn’t listen to them. He shouted out even louder. “JESUS, SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!”
He was not going to let anyone quiet him or his expectations, for Bartimaeus was determined to receive his healing!
He had hope, he had a confident expectation, and when we really expect to get something from God, nobody can or should keep us quiet. It doesn’t matter who those are around us; our family, friends, co-workers, even other well-meaning Christians. Bartimaeus believed that this was his opportunity to get healed, and he wasn’t going to let it pass him by!
It was Bartimaeus’ confident expectation that caused Jesus to stop and find out what he wanted. The same people who told him to be quiet then told him that Jesus was calling for him.
“Notice what Bartimaeus did next: “And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus” (v. 50).
That garment or coat identified Bartimaeus as a beggar—an outcast to society. But when he threw off his coat, Bartimaeus purposely in expectation laid down his life of begging. He wouldn’t need that beggars coat anymore because he wasn’t going to be a blind beggar anymore”. (K.Hagin)
What are you expecting today? Like blind Bartimaeus, is it time for you to get rid of the garments you’ve been hanging on to. To throw off the garment of depression, lack, fear, sickness, failure, and tiredness; the garment that says, “I can’t.”
Isn’t it time we looked to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and began to expect for better? Isn’t it time we started living and expecting that we actually “can do all things through Christ who strengthens us?” (Philippians 4:13)
Don’t be satisfied with the same level of expectation you’ve been at for years. Today is a new day, and His mercies are new every morning, so begin to expect God to work in and through you. Expect God to answer your prayers, and to be faithful to the promises in His word.
Build your expectation for God to do something the same way Bartimaeus did; by reading and listening to the accounts of Jesus found in the bible. Then choose to believe that it is possible, and position yourself to receive your answer and miracle today!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)
Prayer: Jesus, I’m lifting my expectation today for you to do miracles in my life. I throw off the old garment of…….., and expect to receive your goodness and mercy in my life. In Jesus name Amen.