Expectation

One of my goals for 2010 was to spend more listening time during my devotions each morning. I’ve been getting up earlier and spending more time than usual, so I could be sure and allow plenty of time for God to speak. Not surprisingly, God has been showing me all kinds of things in the scriptures as well as nudging me to actions and sharing some great truths I’ve needed to hear.

I’ve also noticed that during our current series, Crossing Together, I have been listening with expectation. I look forward to the devotional each week, and I’ve spent more time on my knees asking for guidance and direction. Last night on a prayer walk with a number of people from our prayer ministry team, I found I was disappointed when it was over! I wished for more time to walk more of Covenant’s campus. There is something about expectation that seems to unleash the Spirit of God.

I’ve heard many of you saying the same kinds of things:

“I’ve looked forward to reading the devotionals each morning. I was wondering if we could have something like this EVERY month!”

“I enjoyed reading Nehemiah chapter four so much, I went back and read the whole book of Nehemiah. It’s a great book. I’m so glad I did. There are some great things for me to learn in that book.”

“I find myself looking forward to church on Saturday night. I can’t wait to hear the next leg of the Israelites’ journey in the Book of Joshua.”

“God has revealed a new word to me every week of this series. Why don’t I seek Him like this all the time? I’m not going to ‘settle’ anymore. My faith is fresher than ever.”

It just goes to show that if you prepare yourself to hear from God and expect God to show up, He will. If you then trust Him enough to obey whatever He tells you to do, you will enter a new and exciting stage of your relationship with Him. When you start hearing from God a little bit, the natural yearning of your heart is to hear from God all the time. I believe that kind of holy expectation makes God very happy!

I don’t mind telling you I’m even more excited about the next ten days. I can’t wait to preach on Joshua chapter three this weekend. I can’t wait for the week of preparation leading us to the culmination of the series on the 17th/18th. I can’t wait to hear more stories from people as they are seeking the Lord with a renewed fervor. I am also claiming Joshua 3:5 for us:

Joshua told the people,
“Consecrate yourselves,
for tomorrow the Lord will do
amazing things among you.”

See you this weekend. (Come expecting to see our Great God show up!)
Branson