Have You Lost Expectation in the Lord?
The Power of Expectation
Expectation is the foundation of our faith. It is the unwavering belief that God is faithful to fulfill His promises. The definition of expectation is “a belief that someone will or should achieve something.” When we lose expectation in the Lord, we lose trust in His ability to work in our lives.
In this sermon, we will explore what it means to have expectation in God, what happens when we lose it, and how to restore it. We will examine biblical examples, reflect on God’s promises, and challenge ourselves to reignite the flame of expectation that drives our faith.
1. Losing Expectation: A Loss of Trust in God
When Israel demanded a king to “judge them, go before them, and fight their battles” (1 Samuel 8:20), they rejected God as their ultimate King. This demand revealed their loss of expectation in God’s provision and leadership. Yet God had already fulfilled these roles:
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He had been their Judge (Deuteronomy 32:36).
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He had gone before them (Exodus 13:21).
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He had fought their battles (Exodus 14:14).
Losing expectation in God leads us to place our trust in human solutions. It reflects a spiritual drift, where we no longer rely on God’s promises but seek alternatives to fill the void of our impatience or doubt.
2. Signs of Lost Expectation
a. No Longer Looking to God
Psalm 121:1-2 teaches us to look to the Lord for help:
“I look up to the mountains\u2014does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”
When we lose expectation, our eyes shift from God to the world. Instead of waiting on Him, we rely on our strength or the advice of others. Like Sarai in Genesis 16:1-3, we may act out of impatience, leading to decisions that bring pain and conflict. Sarai’s decision to give Hagar to Abram was rooted in her lost expectation of God’s promise, demonstrating how doubt leads to poor choices.
b. Giving Up on God
When we lose expectation, we stop seeking God altogether. The psalmist reminds us in Psalm 27:13-14:
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Giving up on God reflects a lack of trust in His timing and His ability to work things out for our good.
c. Lukewarmness
Losing expectation leads to spiritual apathy. Revelation 3:14-16 speaks to the church in Laodicea, describing them as lukewarm:
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”
When we lose expectation, we become indifferent toward God, losing our spiritual fervor and zeal.
3. Consequences of Lost Expectation
a. Spiritual Drift
When we no longer look to God, we drift away from His presence. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Drifting from God leads us to rely on our limited understanding, resulting in confusion and missteps.
b. Fear and Anxiety
Lost expectation breeds fear and anxiety. Philippians 4:6-7 provides a remedy:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Without expectation, fear takes root, robbing us of the peace that comes from trusting God.
c. Missed Blessings
Hebrews 11:6 states:
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
When we lose expectation, we miss out on God’s blessings, as expectation is closely tied to faith.
4. Restoring Expectation in the Lord
a. Renew Your Mind
Romans 12:2 instructs us:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
To restore expectation, we must immerse ourselves in God’s Word, allowing it to transform our thinking and reignite our faith.
b. Remember God’s Faithfulness
Reflect on God’s past faithfulness to build trust for the future. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us:
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
When we recall His faithfulness, our expectation is renewed.
c. Wait on the Lord
Isaiah 40:31 offers a promise for those who wait:
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Waiting on God strengthens our faith and restores our expectation.
5. God Never Abandons His Children
The enemy may whisper that God has given up on you, but this is a lie. Deuteronomy 31:8 provides assurance:
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
God’s focus (better word: attention) is always on His children. He sees our struggles and works in the unseen to bring about His perfect plan.
6. Reignite the Flame of Expectation
a. Faith in Action
James 2:17 declares:
“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Restore expectation by stepping out in faith. Declare God’s promises, pray boldly, and trust Him to fulfill His Word.
b. Align with God’s Will
Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:10:
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
When our expectations align with God’s will, we can be confident that He will answer.
c. Seek God’s Presence
Psalm 16:11 reveals:
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Spend time in worship, prayer, and meditation to rekindle your expectation in the Lord.
Rekindling Expectation
Losing expectation is losing sight of God’s faithfulness, power, and promises. But we serve a God who restores, redeems, and renews. Let us fix our eyes on Him, lifting our voices like the psalmist in Psalm 62:5-6:
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”