Expect the Lord
Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 06/23/2024
Foundation Scriptures:
[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living! 14 Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord. Psalms 27:13-14 AMPC
1. Believe God’s Word.
a. David, the psalmist, asks a rhetorical question: “What would have become of me, had I not believed that I would see God’s goodness here in this life on earth?”
b. He could have said it this way: “Unless I believed in God’s goodness toward me—unless I was confident in His promise—I would not have seen it.”
c. He is saying that he experienced the goodness of God because he DID believe he would see it.
d. If he had NOT believed, he would not have received or experienced God’s goodness—even though it was available to him.
e. Other translations say: I would have fainted; I would have despaired; I would have lost heart—if I had not believed.
f. And some render it this way: I am certain, I have sure faith, I surely believe, I truly believe, I know, I remain confident, I am confident of this—that I will live to see and experience the goodness of the Lord.
g. God has made us some great and precious promises.
h. If we believe His Word and have faith in His promises, then we will see them fulfilled in our lives.
i. If we place our complete confidence in Him, He will never let us down.
j. He will always come through for us when we obey Him in faith.
2. Believe in God’s Goodness.
a. David believed he would see and experience God’s goodness toward him—His kindness, His provision, His deliverance, and His protection.
b. Goodness (Hebrew ṭûḇ) - goodness; the kindness of God; that which is good, or best, of anything; the best part; the best gifts of the land; goods, i.e. wealth, property, precious things; beauty; welfare; happiness.
c. Throughout David’s life, we surely see how good God was to him—even though he faced many battles, challenges, and struggles along the way.
3. Expect God’s Goodness.
a. Psalms 27:14 KJV –– Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
b. Wait (Hebrew qāvâ) - to wait; look for; hope; expect.
c. David encourages us to wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.
d. He reminds us to be of good courage, to be strong and courageous, to be stouthearted, and to not despair.
e. Expect God to show up strong on your behalf.
f. Do not believe the lies of the devil, or nor succumb to his pressure or opposition.
g. Know that God always keeps His promises, and He will never fail you or let you down.
4. God is Waiting and Expecting.
a. Isaiah 30:18 KJV –– And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
b. God is waiting—He is expecting—to be good and gracious to you!
c. Isaiah 30:18a AMPC –– And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you…
d. God’s plan is to be gracious to you, to show you His mercy, kindness, and compassion.
e. Isaiah 30:18b AMPC –– …and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you.
f. The Lord has made His promises to you, and now He waits for you to connect and attach your faith to those promises, so that He can rise up and do all of what He has said.
g. Isaiah 30:18c AMPC –– For the Lord is a God of justice.
h. The Lord is true to His Word and will never fail to come through for you when you place your hope and trust in Him!
i. Isaiah 30:18d AMPC –– Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!
j. Everyone who trusts in God, and expects to see Him move on their behalf, is happy and blessed.
k. Because they experience His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His presence.
5. God’s Plans for You.
a. Jeremiah 29:11-12 KJV –– For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
b. God’s plans for you, and His thoughts toward you, are all good.
c. His plans for you are plans for welfare and peace, and not for evil; plans to prosper you, and not to harm you; plans to take care of you; and not abandon you.
d. Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV –– For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
e. God’s promise to you is to give you the good future you hope for.
f. Hope (Hebrew tiqvâ) - cord; hope; expectation; ground of hope; things hoped for; outcome.
g. God’s plan for you is a good plan—for your life here on earth, and in eternity.
h. The Lord promises us an expected end—a good outcome—good surprises, not bad surprises.
i. He is waiting for you to believe and to ask, expectantly.
j. He will hear your prayer, and you will see Him come through for you (Jer. 29:12).