A State Of Expectation

There are two definitions of “expecting” or “expected” in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary:
1. (n.) The act or state of expecting or looking forward
to an event as about to happen.
2. (n.) That which is expected or looked for

At the time of writing this article we are still awaiting the inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United Sates. In Britain, we are also awaiting the judgment of the Supreme Court with reference to whether or not Theresa May can instigate article 50 without further reference to Parliament. Many events are awaiting us in 2017 and it feels like we are all in a state of expectation awaiting further developments in God’s Great Plan for this time in history, leading to His Kingdom on Earth. Our expectation is our confidence that God is working in this wicked world and we can count on Him to fix it. When we put our faith and trust in Him we cannot be moved. He is our Rock. “They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah. My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.” (Psa. 62:4-6)

We are weary of living in a world where all things bad have now become good and all things good are perceived as bad. Our upside-down world has caused us to feel much vexation of spirit. “And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.” (Ecc. 1:13-15) We yearn for God’s Kingdom and for Jesus to rule and reign here on Earth. Right now we feel the heaviness of man’s oppressive rule and the whole earth is waiting for redemption. “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” (Rom. 8:22-23)

It appears that 2017 is shaping up to be a year full of many exciting things and I suppose that is why we have this feeling of expectation. We are expecting something big will happen soon. There are a few heavenly events to occur later on this year and it will be interesting to see their significance in God’s plan. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” (Psa. 19:1) “The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.” (Psa. 97:6) God is not mocked and our Israel nations have turned their backs away from God for too long now. We have mocked Him and used His name in vain without any thought at all to our actions. This has to end at some point and I wonder if this could be the year His glory, wonder and power is shown to the world. He sits in the Heavens and laughs at the plans of man. We are so foolish. “And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.” (Ecc. 1:13-15) “The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.” (Psa. 5:5)

We are living in a very exciting time full of much expectation of things to come. We must be wise in our thinking and keep our hearts close to God. We must listen for that still small voice that will guide us in these troubling but exciting times.

“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:19-21)