Our expectation of God’s promises becoming a reality is vital to establishing His Word in our hearts. We expect to be healed because we have found healing in God’s Word. We expect prosperity and peace because God has already provided it for every person who will receive it.
An expectation is a strong anticipation.
Our family dog is a Yorkshire terrier named Elliot. Like many dogs, when a dog biscuit is held in front of him, he knows the right thing to do. He is certain that he will get the treat if he is perfectly still and controlled. His eyes never leave the treat. He is focused and undistracted. His confidence is high—and although his nickname is Mr. Motion—he will remain still until he gets what he expects.
Hope is a confident expectation. Intense expectation and hope work together hand in hand. With an intense and confident expectation we can look forward to the promises of God becoming reality in our lives. Circumstances will not detour our attention from God’s promises. We must hold fast to what our faith in God’s Word promises that we have received.
The farmer cannot stop and switch crops in the middle of the year. If there are difficult times, he must remain diligent in his work and confident that it will pay off in the end. He does everything in his power to keep the seed free from weeds and prepared for the rain.
Nor can the farmer change the weather conditions to make it rain. But this is where we, the believer, differ from the farmer, because there is something we can do to bring the rain of the Holy Spirit onto our seed.
We can create an atmosphere for God’s rain. Rain doesn’t come out of a cloudless sky. Sometimes it doesn’t even come out of a cloudy sky. Rain comes only when the atmospheric conditions are correct.
In the Bible, rain often represents the blessing and presence of God being poured onto His people. Hosea 6:3 says, Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth” (NKJV).
Again in Ezekiel 34:26 it says, “I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing” (NKJV).
These are the days of the outpouring of God’s presence and the moving of God’s Spirit in a greater measure than at any other time in history. As believers, if we are to be full of God’s presence and experiencing His blessing, we must cultivate an attitude of obedience and a yielded heart toward God and His Word. Those who obey Him will best reveal His presence.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Vikki and Dennis began as youth pastors in 1973 in Southern California where they received tremendous insight into the work of the local church. In 1976, they moved to Ft. Worth, Texas, to work with Kenneth Copeland Ministries. Vikki worked with KCM for three years before entering full-time ministry with her husband. Since that time, their relationship and involvement with Kenneth Copeland Ministries has continued. Vikki and Dennis have had numerous articles published in the Believer's Voice of Victory magazine.
Vikki has spoken in several nations including Australia, Japan, and Canada. She has ministered on television, radio, in women's conferences and marriage seminars. Her desire is to see people raised to a higher level of living through the Word of God. By acting on Gods principles, Vikki has obtained a testimony of victory and imparts encouragement to others.
Throughout the years, Vikki and Dennis have pursued new avenues of reaching people. The Lord has continued to expand their vision. Their dedication has affected thousands as they are impacting God's people with the love of God.