As parents of six children, we often hear people 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, according to what we see in God’s word, expect our kids to be happy, intelligent, successful, and passionate about their lives and relationships with Jesus and others. It’s what we pray, speak over them, and expect God to do.
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 trust Him. He wants us to live by faith, walk by faith, and 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 have heard how Jesus healed the sick, and now Jesus was walking by him. Bartimaeus 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, people around us 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. He shouted out even louder. “JESUS, SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!”
He would not let anyone quiet him or his expectations, for Bartimaeus was determined to receive his healing!
He had hope and a confident expectation. Bartimaeus believed this was his opportunity to get healed, and he wasn’t going to let it pass him by!
Bartimaeus’ confident expectation caused Jesus to stop and find out what he wanted. The people who told him to be quiet then told Bartimaeus 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 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 no longer intended 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 onto and throw off the garment of depression, lack, fear, sickness, failure and tiredness.
Don’t be satisfied with the same level of life you’ve been at for years. Expect God to answer your prayers and begin to build your expectation for God to do something the same way Bartimaeus did.
It’s time to expect better?
“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.
Comments