Having An Exciting Expectancy

Years ago, I had several pet goldfish in an aquarium that I fed three times a day. Each time I approached the aquarium with their food, the goldfish would race toward me, their little mouths frantically opening and closing in eager anticipation of their expected treat.

Why did the fish so furiously flap their fins? Because seeing my presence set off a conditioned response in their little brain that told them I had something special to give them.

Just think, if only we as God’s children could respond with the same type of response towards God in His desire to give us good gifts — a response based on our past experience with Him that flows from a deep-seated knowledge of His character (James 1:17).

Beloved, we need to expect great things from God, because He expects great things from us. God desires to equip us perfectly for what He wants us to do (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:2-4), and He invites us to “come boldly” to find mercy and grace in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

When we as God’s children are living by faith (Romans 10:17; Gal. 3:11; Hebrews 10:38), we can, like the goldfish, have an exciting expectancy and a quiet confidence that God will give us exactly what we need, when we need it (Matthew 7:8-11; Philippians 4:19).

Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets

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