She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. Luke 2:38 (NLT)
Expectations are funny things. At times, we have “great expectations,” while we only anticipate disappointment or dread on other occasions. The Advent of Christ elicited hopeful expectations from Simeon and Anna. Granted, it is possible that they did not foresee a Messiah who would be crucified on the cross. But at this time, Simeon and Anna were filled with expectant joy, even excitement.
For other people, whatever hopeful expectations they once had are long gone. The harsh reality of life has wounded them and turned their enthusiasm into skepticism. In the story Polar Express, the lonely boy, Billy, expresses his disappointment with Christmas, saying, “Christmas just doesn’t work out for me. It never has.”
For someone who has never seen things work out for them, it is understandable that they face life with low expectations. After all, they haven’t experienced anything else but disappointment. Like Billy, the prospects do not seem to be bright. Again, there are others who, at one time, were enthusiastic and hopeful. The dream seemed to be within reach but was then, seemingly, snatched away.
Jesus brought this kind of hope and expectation into many people’s lives, but sometimes, our expectations do not align with God’s plan. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had expectations of Jesus. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel Luke 24:21 (NLT). Jesus had come not only to save Israel but the world. But it did not go the way that they had expected.
Great Expectations
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance— 1 Peter 1:3–4 (NLT)
Do we expect great things from God? Peter reminds us of the priceless inheritance that we have been given. Are we in awe of the wonders of God’s great mercy toward us? The resurrection of Christ changed everything. We can come boldly to the throne of grace to receive help in our time of need.
Peter also told us about God’s promises: And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. 2 Peter 1:4 (NLT). A.W. Tozer warned Christian believers not to read the Bible as they would any other piece of literature or textbook. “I have always felt that when we read and study the Word of God, we should have great expectations,” he explained. “We should ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the person, the glory, and the eternal ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We must enter our expectations on the person of Jesus Christ. The gifts, the call, and everything else are secondary to knowing Christ. As Paul said, For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. Philippians 1:20 (NLT)
Patient Expectations
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12 (NLT).
It is fair to say that we all begin with expectations, but things do not always go according to our plan. We have expectations about our life, who we will marry, what will be our life’s work, our children and their hopes and dreams, and many other aspects of our lives.
Life’s experiences, however, rarely match expectations. Sometimes, reality falls far short of expectations. At other times, it matches expectations, and occasionally it exceeds expectations. This Proverb warns us that our heart suffers when fulfilling our expectations takes longer than we had hoped.
We cannot always explain why things happen the way they do and why hope sometimes seems just outside our grasp. When we are in the midst of the storm, we do not have a clear vision or understanding of what is happening around us.
We know that the Scriptures counsel us to be patient: Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3 (NLT).
In John 16, Jesus is preparing his disciples for his departure. He tells them that they will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to him. At first, they will not understand. They will grieve but then their grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. Jesus then said, So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. John 16:22 (NLT)
It is all about patient hope. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:24–25 (NIV)
Expectations Renewed
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
We frequently encounter people who once had hopeful expectations, but somewhere along the line, they were disappointed, or someone failed to live up to their expectations. People failed them, but they blamed God. In their pain, they took their eyes off Jesus, the source of hope and life.
At this Advent season, we must have the same longing that Simeon and Anna for the Messiah. There may not have been room for him in the inn, but let us make room for him in our hearts. Renew your commitment to press into God and his word. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Romans 15:4 (NLT)
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus. There is room in my heart for Thee.- Emily S. Elliott
Steve Ekeroth