Excited, Expecting!

And seek not what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, neither be of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knows that you have need of these things. But rather seek the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:29-32)

As a father, I got to witness something special this week – my kids had earned some free gifts through our health insurance provider, so we ordered them Last Saturday. The website said to allow 5 to 7 days for shipping, so from that moment on, it was a constant “when is it going to get here, Dad?” from both of them. Each day they were excitedly watching for the mail to arrive, and each day they would be asking how many more days until 5 to 7 days was here. They were excited, expecting to receive what they had been promised!

So Thursday came, and the first gift arrived; a Lego set for my son. Immediately he opened it up, pulled out the instructions and began putting the set together. It has become his new favorite toy. And then my daughter starts to constantly ask when her gift will arrive, with a new repeat question: “did the doorbell just ring?” Finally on Saturday morning the doorbell rang and my daughter ran to the door. Her gift had arrived and again the box was opened and the gift enjoyed.

And do you know what the best part of all this was? I as their father got to witness the excitement and joy in them as they anxiously anticipated the arrival of the gift. It filled me with the same excitement! And that’s when it hit me – our father God feels that same joy and excitement when he sees us excited, expecting to receive His promised gifts!

You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)

We were created for God’s pleasure! In my prior life (before I became a Christian), I used to think of God and religion as just a bunch of rules and regulations to restrict my fun. But I have come to learn that God really wants us to have fun, true fun and joy in Him. Not the way the world defines fun, but through our relationship and fellowship with the God that created us.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:7-11)

What is your attitude while waiting on God? Are you excited, expecting God to do good things for you? Or are you constantly worrying and trying to work things out in your own strength? I find myself from time to time forgetting that my heavenly Father wants to give us good things. All he wants is for us to ask.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall you call upon me, and you shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:10-14)

Is there something in your life that you are seeking? Is there something that your heart desires? Let me give an example of God’s heart. During the last half of 2007, I really wanted to find a way to take my family to Disney World. We had gone there two years before, and it had been a wonderful time for us as a family. I could have taken things into my own hands and borrowed the money for the trip, but I really didn’t want to go that route.

So, as I would be paying bills each Saturday morning I would have this repeat comment to God – “you know Lord, I would really like to take the kids back to Disney World, but I can’t see any way to make that happen.” This went on every week for about six months, not exactly a prayer, more of an expression of a desire. And then in February of 2008 we got the word – my wife had won the grand prize in a contest. And the grand prize was a trip for four to Orlando Florida! And I know God delighted in watching us as we excitedly prepared for and enjoyed that trip!

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and truly you shall be fed. Delight yourself also in the LORD; and he shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalms 37:3-5)

God loves it when we seek Him. He loves it when we trust in Him. And God loves to show his pleasure by granting our prayers and desires. And God especially loves to deliver on His promises to us, watching the excitement as we anticipate and the joy as we receive.

Is there anyone you know in need of God’s transforming power? God has given us His promise:

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

So, let’s be excited, expecting to see God reach the people we love with the Good News of what Jesus has done!

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