Mark 11:24 says, “… whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
I love how the scripture states received as in past tense, and then goes on to say that it will be yours.
This inclines me to believe that the scripture is implying that we should by faith expect to receive.
With so much currently going on in the world around us, our expectations are the only thing keeping many of us sane.
What is it to expect? I am glad you asked.
To expect is to regard (something) as likely to happen. The Psalmist writes in Psalm 27:13, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
I would have lost heart… had I woke up in the midst of this pandemic without expecting to see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living, I would be a total disaster. A wreck because of worry and fear. However, the fact that God is not a man, that He should lie gives me that hope that I need to expect to receive His promises and the very things that I have asked for in faith. Promises and requests to protect me, guide and lead me, never leave me nor forsake me. The answers to these requests keep me in a state of peace. The Bible tells us, “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your requests known to God and God’s peace, that passes all understanding, shall keep you hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
When you start to feel stressed, stop focusing on the problem and focus on the Solution.
Take your cares to the Lord in prayer and expect to see His goodness.
Trust that God can, and stop worrying about how He will.
Look up unto the hills from whence cometh your help.
With God all things are possible.
Life will pitch you a few curve balls from time to time, but do not be afraid, do not trouble yourself with worry and fear. Expect to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!
– Adrian is a life-long Waxahachie native. He is the pastor of Waxahachie Life Church and the owner of Future Generations Christian Child Care Center. He is passionate about the youth in our communities, and believes that investing in them is investing in the future. He and his wife, Marquita are raising 4 handsome boys.
