Expectation Builds Strength

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31

My two favorite holidays each year are Christmas and my birthday--and my birthday is Flag Day, so it's an actual holiday.  Every year, I look forward to them with great anticipation and excitement counting down the days till one of these two holidays arrives.  I know that it's going to be perfect!  I may not know everything that's going to happen on the day, but I know it's going to be amazing!  The anticipation builds as the day draws closer.  And when the day finally arrives, I'm not let down.  This scripture says, "they that wait upon the Lord shall have their strength renewed."  At first glance, that seems a bit off to me.  "Waiting" is generally not a fun act, because it's defined as being inactive and as something neglected for a time.  That sounds completely different than something that would build strength and encouragement.  But remember, the original text was in Hebrew and the original word is qavah, meaning "to expect."  We understand expectation.  When we are expecting something, we are looking forward to it and anticipating that it will happen.  Anticipation and expectation all build excitement and that, I can see, as building strength!

In his blog, Be Life Giving, Alex Anderson said that Jesus expected that His prayers would be answered and as sons and daughters of God, and as the body of Christ, we should expect nothing less, (http://belifegiving.blogspot.com/2011/07/ladies-and-gentlemen.html).  He said that as Jesus expected, we, too, should expect to have our prayers answered.  Don't just wait around--as the world waits--for your prayers to be answered.  Instead, expect that they will be answered.  Expect it, with great anticipation, as you would expect your favorite holiday to come this year.  Expect it; picture it; look forward to it!  Those who look forward to something with great expectation and anticipation will have their strength renewed.  They will be able to keep moving forward, because their expectation motivates them.  Keep looking in expectation!
~Heather Potts~