Eager expectation of good

Featured ~ Lisa Brittain

A definition from Merriam-Webster: 

Hope: 1. to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment.  2. to expect with confidence (as in trust).

{Wait… watch and pray. Because He came then I can eagerly expect His return.}

Biblically, our hope is in God. It’s my trust in Him, and His good nature that makes possible my ability to hope. It’s also our history together; His faithfulness – His amazing track record proving that my hope is secure in Him.

God is hope. He is the embodiment of hope because His promises are yes and amen. He cannot lie. What God has promised will certainly come to pass.

“being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

And for these reasons, within the Christmas story, two people exemplify to me this lifestyle of hope. Anna and Simeon, both elderly servants of God, who dwelt in Jerusalem. Anna, a widow for decades, stayed in the Temple committed to prayer, she waited her whole life with an eager expectation of good that would come from God in her lifetime.

“and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭37‬-‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I can learn much from Anna. She waited well. She was active in her waiting. She fasted, she prayed, and she worshiped God while she waited. She waited like Noah, not knowing when or how, but believing God’s promise to bring redemption to her people.

As a wife and mom, I know that God has simply asked me to believe Him that His good will would be fulfilled for our family. I’ve been actively waiting, watching, and praying in our marriage for 37 years. God is faithful.

And Simeon, Luke 2:25-26 describes him as a devout and righteous man, who was full of the Holy Spirit. Simeon was eagerly expectant because God had promised him that the Messiah would come in his lifetime. He believed God, and in the fullness of time he beheld the new born Jesus.

“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭28‬-‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Morning Communion: Hope

The encouragement I receive from reading the stories of Anna and Simeon is that their hope – their eager expectation- became sight. They not only waited well, they recognized God when He appeared.

Pray with me?

Lord, it is my eager and expectant desire {daily} that I not miss you. Thank You, Immanuel, for diligently teaching me throughout this year that You are present with me. Thank You for miraculously creating a pathway of belief that has transferred knowledge about You into experience with You. Lord, I believe You today in a way I’ve never imagined possible on this side of Heaven.

Lord, may I eagerly expectantly watch and wait for you today while worshipping and praying, and while doing laundry and vacuuming. And Lord Jesus, Messiah, don’t let me miss You in all Your ways.

Thank You for loving me first. I love You too.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭34‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Eyes on Jesus and Shine,

Lisa

O Come, O Come Immanuel , The Piano Guys

Advent: Hope click here to watch a little video devo about our Eager expectation of hope.

Published by Lisa Brittain

I am a curious follower of Jesus. I have been since my early twenties when I met Him personally and received miraculous healing in my body and mind. After many years of marriage and raising sons into the teen years, I received a challenge to explore the duplicity of my spoken faith followed up by my fearful living choices. It was my two sons, who loved me enough to confront me with the truth. They called out the hypocrisy of fear, and I am forever thankful. Chips off my proverbial block! I determined then to overcome fear with faith that was more than words. Years ago, with my eyes open to my sin of unbelief I made a decision to leave the desert wandering behind and set out to pursue the abundant life Jesus promised His disciples. God has been faithful to teach me, grow me up, and help me to let go of all the things that used to mean security to me. My passion is to walk so closely to Jesus that others want to know Him too. I love to introduce women to Him as we walk, talk, and work together hand in hand through everyday life. Nothing thrills me more than to watch someone fall in love with Jesus through His word; learning to trust His heart and receive His great love! I have been married to my dear man for over 36 rollercoaster years. We're simply thrilled that our latter days are more joyful and purposeful than our first. Together we have helped to grow two young men, who are now married with their own families. God is continuing to help them write their own faith stories. Additionally, we share our home with an old rescue pup. I look forward to having you join me here to fix our eyes on Jesus and shine with His radiance, Lisa Psalm 34:5

2 thoughts on “Eager expectation of good”

  2. “It’s also our history together; His faithfulness – His amazing track record proving that my hope is secure in Him.” Amen! Exactly the same reason my hope has been alive since I was fourteen. His track record in my life proves He is faithful!

Comments are closed.