Great achievements are usually the result of great expectations. Yet right now the world is yelling don’t expect much of anything good to happen. Instead people are being conditioned to expect more trouble, lockdowns, financial woes, fear, lack and stress.
However even though that is what we are surrounded by, God has spoken something in His word that gives us great hope and a reason to expect great things. God says, “He works all things together for our good” and when God says he’s working things out for our good you better believe He’s working behind the scenes on something amazing and exceedingly more than we could ask, think, pray for, dream or imagine. (Romans 8:28; Ephesians 3:20).
We are not mere victims of a germ, virus, monetary system implosion, government decisions, fear or whatever else is being thrown at us at the moment.
If you know Jesus then you are part of the most powerful force on the planet. We just have to remember that Jesus is with us in the boat; He is walking alongside us, He has overcome the world and He has dominion and the victory over every sickness, disease and any other stinking thing that the devil may try to throw at us.
Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NLT)
I love the account of Paul in the bible. Paul was a prisoner on a ship full of people headed to Rome when a violent storm threatened to end all their lives. Whilst everyone else was fearing for their lives, throwing their belongings overboard and generally freaking out, Paul was calm because He wasn’t believing or thinking what everyone else was. Paul wasn’t moved by the storm – He was saying and therefore expecting what God said as He chose to trust in God and to speak His word. Paul expected great things and as a result not a life was lost, people were saved, comforted and on landing ashore those who lived there were even healed. (Acts 27)
“In the midst of any storm, whether it’s physical, spiritual or financial, when we believe God, we can have and show great calmness, great comfort, and great strength.” (Jesse Duplantis)
Paul was a prisoner on the ship and of little importance to his captors, yet because he knew who He was, and was sure of his relationship with God he didn’t think, speak or behave like a prisoner. He knew one word from God can change even the most hopeless situation. No prison chains, no storm, no voices of fear could move him. He knew Jesus was with him in the midst of the storm and he believed God rather than what he was seeing and hearing from others. As a result Paul not only survived the storm, he also exhibited great calm and was able to offer comfort to others.
Paul boldly and cheerfully said, “So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.” (Acts 27:25)
Whatever you are facing; whether it’s that you are in lockdown, limited in your movements, financially stretched, struggling in your relationships and feeling surrounding on all sides, know that God is with you. He is right alongside you in “your boat” and wanting you to lift your expectations of what He can do.
Look to His word and His great promises, be calm and at peace and seek to add value to every conversation and room you walk into. Start to speak God’s words rather than agreeing with the voices of the media, fear, death and destruction. For,“If God is for us, who can be against us, and no weapon formed against us will prosper, for all those who rise up against us will fall – viruses, disease, threats, money worries and lack of any kind included. (Romans 8:31; Isaiah 54:17)
Today be encouraged that God is with you and then boldly shout, just as Paul once did, “I believe God!”
“I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved by what I believe.” (Smiths Wigglesworth)
Great expectations bring great results!
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelation 12:11)
“He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:4)
Prayer: Lord I thank you for your great and precious promises in which I believe and expect great results. Thank you that you are in charge and that no weapon formed against me will prosper. I declare I am protected, I am healthy, I am healed, I have every need met and I have plenty more to put in store. Thank you that I walk in your favour and blessing today. In Jesus name Amen.