Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 10, 2019
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)
A friend of mine was telling me about an experiment of sorts that he and his community group at church have recently begun. Each time they gather together, the bulk of their discussion time is spent answering just two basic questions, “What has God done for you this week?” and “What have you done for God?” While at face value these may seem overly simplistic or basic, he said the results have been profound. In particular, it creates a culture of expectation and shared experience. Here’s what I mean.
It is incredibly easy to sleep our way through life. We numb ourselves with food, drink, and entertainment, failing to see the faithful hand of God at work in our lives and communities. Yet taking time daily or weekly to ask yourself, “What has God done for me this week?”, has the potential to profoundly reorient your vision and awaken you to spiritual realities. It means you live with a deep and unshakable sense of expectation that God hears our prayers and responds to them. There’s a subtle but significant difference between openness to God and expectancy in prayer. One is willing to be surprised, the other lives with hopeful anticipation and eagerness to see God at work in our daily lives.
As we learn to live expectantly, asking the Holy Spirit to give us eyes to see and ears to hear, we must also learn to share these “God stories” with one another! Life is remarkably cyclical, where in one season of life we may find ourselves filled with hope, joy, and anticipation, and in another season be in the greatest depths of pain, sorrow, and despair. When you are at the highest heights of joy, it isn’t simply for your own satisfaction but is meant to be shared with others, especially those in seasons of great trial, as a way to encourage them and remind them of God’s faithfulness. True Christian community is one in which the weak are welcomed and supported and loved, and one in which the strong know their strength isn’t just for themselves but is a way to lift up others in their time of distress.
God is faithful to draw near to his people and lead them through life’s journey into the joy of life eternal, lived in his Kingdom. May we learn to expectantly see him at work in the present, and as we do, share our God stories with others so we can together celebrate his faithfulness, goodness, and love!
“Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures” (Psalm 119:90).
Prayer
Father, give us expectant hearts that share your faithfulness with others, in Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Application
How can you deepen your expectancy of God’s work in your life and more intentionally share your God stories with others?
Related Reading
Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 33:4; Romans 8:38-39
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