With March bringing spring and Easter, this month is filled with expectation. Our word for this month is expectation. This month we’re praying to live in a state of expectation. Expectation for new beginnings, for new seasons, for the celebration of our risen Savior.
In a way, expectation is a lot like faith. Hebrews 11 somewhat famously begins, “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” The chapter then goes through the “Hall of Faith,” recounting the faithfulness of those who lived before Christ came to earth. They lived in expectation of the Messiah. They had faith in what they did not see and that, the Bible tells us, is hope.
Along with hope, we also think of waiting when we think of expectation. Expecting something means it has not yet happened. So we wait. The Bible has many examples of people who waited. Abraham and Sarah waited on a son. Joseph waited in prison for the Lord to use him. The Israelites waited on deliverance. David waited to become king. Hannah waited on a child. The prophets waited for the Messiah to come. The wise men waited to see the newborn King. And still we wait. We wait for His second coming, the day when all will be made whole.
Expectation is not passive. Those waiting did not sit around doing nothing. Abraham and Sarah obeyed by moving, by circumcision (they disobeyed, too, in their anxiousness to hurry things along). Joseph interpreted dreams in prison, making a connection that would one day free him. The Israelites waited in oppression. They called out to God in their distress. David fought battles and played music and wrote psalms while he waited. Hannah worshiped and prayed, asking God for a child. The prophets spoke God’s word to the people, asking them to repent and believe and live in expectation of the Messiah. The wise men sought out the King. They waited in action.
We talked about Psalm 130 when we talked about Lent. Lent is a time of expectation. This month, we’ll continue to observe Lent until Easter and we’ll wait on the glorious day we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. We hope you’ll meditate on and memorize Psalm 130:5-6 this month. It’s worth noting that watchmen wait with expectation.
I wait for Yahweh; I wait
and put my hope in His word.
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning—
more than watchmen for the morning.
Perhaps this month you have some expectations. Perhaps you’re being called to wait, to hope. Let’s pray together that in March, we’ll live as people expectant of Jesus. Let’s pray for hope. And let’s wait in action.
We’ve also put together some downloads for you. Free wallpapers and social media images. Just right click to download (if you’re viewing on your phone, tap the image and hold. Sometimes it takes a few tries.). We would love for you to share with us what you’re prayers for expectation look like. Use the hashtag #PrayersFor2016 on Instagram or Twitter!
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