I broach the subject again, for I am called to, one statement that was first brought to my attention in its basest form in a book written nearly seven hundred years ago, “What we expect, we come to believe we deserve.”
The tenure of each civilization or nation of man has reached its conclusion when these words become commonplace, and when it approaches, it most generally is a statement of its downfall. It denotes a nation that has not only reached the pinnacle of ease, but has gone over the edge of it, a nation where most have few needs, and so those items are expected. Water and food are abundant enough to sustain life, though not to the extant that all would desire, they are not perishing by famine. Shelter and heat are readily available, whether it be by their own design or the mercy and compassion of others, the accomplishment of this statement is the final stroke of the enabled society.
When the minority do not receive what they expect, they rebel, for they believe they are deserving of it, hence they are enabled, for those that have some are then forced by those that have much to give of what they have to the have nots. Today we use the term Socialism, the idea that all should share equally, no matter the effort exerted by the have nots. What we have come to expect, we believe we deserve.
The born-again believer has power to exert in this area, but he has no right to, we are commanded to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) What you have been given by God is all you need, whether it be poverty or riches, your needs are fulfilled “according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19) The follower of Jesus Christ has the power to complain about his circumstances, but he has no right to, for the branch that bears fruit He will prune, (John 15:2) and if you would like to take these truths to the highest degree, “it pleased the Lord to bruise Him.” No one ever exhibited a greater degree of a lack of desire for earthly things than our Lord Jesus, all He did was meant to glorify God, Paul said whether I am cold or hot, I am content. (Phil. 4:11) What we have come to expect, we believe we deserve, but in my mind many years ago He put this phrase, “I do not deserve anything, and I deserve everything I get.” It was the Lord’s way of showing me that all I receive, good or bad, I only receive because of His grace, it was His way of informing me that I am not the most important person on this planet, that what I have been given is sufficient for today.
Hungry people complain, hungry Christians complain, but then they ask for forgiveness, for above all creation, those who serve God Almighty never have a need to complain, the kingdom is theirs. “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) What we deserve was paid for on the cross at Calvary, unless you have an eternal view, you will never understand these words, you will find yourself without something someday, and you will begin to complain because you will believe that you deserve it.
Far too much effort and thought is given to this world and our lives in it by far too many who call Christ Lord, they seek for the next thing, the next item or experience of contentment, and when they cannot obtain it, they sulk around like small children who have been told they cannot have a piece of candy, they search for reasons why what they have expected has been denied them, they will ponder at length every possible reason, when all they needed to do was say “Thank you Lord, I do not understand at the moment, but thank you, thy will be done in my life.”
Every single thing that occurs in your life must be compared to your eternal home, poverty will bring greater desires, riches should do the same, sickness looks forward to the day when illness is a forgotten memory, health brings a desire to be with Christ. No circumstance that our Lord brings into our lives should ever be allowed to assuage us in any form for any length of time. For moments? Of course, did not even our Lord ask, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matt. 26:39) “Thy will be done” are not just words we save up for that rainy day, they are not a last resort, they are not the words of an individual who has simply given up and accepted, grudgingly, what Christ has allowed to come into their lives, they are a joy, no matter the circumstances, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
We just need to start seeing it that way, we need to constantly be searching for the prize that is Christ, to die to self and forget the circumstances of the moment. Every event that occurs in the life of the child of God is an opportunity to praise His name, only those who have set their sights on the eternal can understand this, only those whose only desire is Jesus Christ can live expecting nothing but Him, and finding He is all they need, and much more than what any of us deserve.
3 thoughts on “Stop Expecting”
Why is it so bad to expect? Why would things like imaginations, gifts, and talents exist if we cannot use them or be in a better position or expect a positive outcome? Why is is bad to pray for and expect a spouse? There is nothing wrong with enjoying the thing of this life. (And I’m not talking about sin.) If I strive for a goal or a dream that shouldn’t be a crime. I don’t understand why if someone is poor or suffering they should be content. Why can’t God treat everyone the same. You’re saying it’s a sin to want better for your life even if it’s just temporary. Wanting a spouse, riches, food etc. is not a sin
The ‘better position’ should always be relative to the will of the Lord, “Not my will be done, but Thine.” (Luke 22:42), and if that is how we always look at life, then whatever gifts or talents that He has blessed us with will be used at all times for that end, to glorify Him. “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” Proverbs 18:22: but the reason for praying for a spouse should never be to have our desires fulfilled only, but so that the two of you can serve the Lord better together than you could separately. As for contentment, remember what Paul said in Phil. 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” When we become crucified with Christ, we give over to Him the entire right to direct our lives as He best sees fit to, if an individual is poor in this world as to their finances because of slothfulness or laziness, then that is no fault of the Lords, but if He directs your path to poverty for His glory, then we must learn to count that poverty as joy, remembering Romans 8:18, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” What we want is immaterial if we are living for Christ is another way of saying “Thy will be done.”
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Gal. 2:20
Clink on the little red button at the top of the page, it will take you to the YouTube site, perhaps that also will assist you in you walk with Him.
In Christ
So what’s the point of having desires? You guys always say God will change our desires to his but those were never my desires to begin with. There was no point in giving us a sex drive or a longing if He won’t fulfill it. Jesus is not a physical spouse. I’m pretty sure you have a family and a stable career so it’s easy for you to say these things. If we all deserve hell why does God bless some more than others, especially those who claim to follow Him. He leaves us out to dry. Why would He put dreams and aspirations into our heads if He calls us to give it up and do something entirely different. What’s the point in having free will is He wants to strip us of it. I am not a slave nor a toy to be used on a whim. God has a plan for each and every but what if his plan for me is to get a bullet in my skull? You’re saying if someone is poor because of their laziness it’s their fault but If someone becomes successful it’s all glory to God. So which one is it? I wish I was never born in the end times then I wouldn’t have to worry about any of this.
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