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An Attitude of Expectancy



Life is filled with uncertainty. If we let them, difficult circumstances can shake our foundation, especially if we have built our sense of security on the expectation that our world is stable. Nothing of this world is secure, but we can rely on God as our security. He goes beyond satisfying and exceeding our own expectations and desires. I know this on a day to day basis, but it is in moments of crisis that this truth is tested. As I have faced crises and uncertainties, I often find myself responding with fear and distrust of God’s goodness. I become paralyzed, unable to move in trust that God is working a perfect plan for my life. It is in these moments that I am reminded of Miriam, a child herself, watching Moses in the river to see “what would happen to him” (Exodus 2:4). If you have the time, open your Bible now, and read Exodus 2:1-10.


"His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him” (Exodus 2:4).


This simple sentence says a lot about Miriam’s relationship with God. She had limitations in her stance; all she could do was watch and see what would happen to Moses. If she took him back out of the river, Moses would be just as unsafe among his family as he was among the Nile. So Miriam stands, waiting for God to act. In our own lives, we face similar limitations in our circumstances. We can take matters into our own hands, but this can only take us so far. I have faced limitations as I have moved across the country, trying to juggle securing an apartment and job. In fact, I lost my housing a week before moving, and all I could do was trust and expect that God would provide. It has been a continuous effort to prevent myself from trying to plan and figure it out on my own. When I failed to trust God over the last few weeks, I have been reminded of Miriam standing at the Nile, knowing all she could do was watch and take on an attitude of expectancy knowing that Moses’ fate was in God’s hands.

This attitude does not only fill us with the peace that surpasses all understanding, but it also prepares us to respond when God makes a way. We see this in Miriam’s bold and daring response to the Pharaoh’s daughter; “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” (Exodus 2:7). Miriam had such a tense anticipation of God’s hand in her circumstances that she was able to act with courage. I want the same boldness and anticipation; I want to be expectant! It is easy to fall into discouragement and fear, and there is no shame in slipping up, but I encourage you to not stay there. Be expectant of what God is going to do!


God often exceeds our expectations and desires. I assume that when Moses’ mother and Miriam put him in the Nile, their greatest desire was that he would live. They did not expect to have him brought back to them for his toddler years, or that his mother would be paid to nurse him, or that he would be raised as Egyptian royalty (Exodus 2:9-10). I believe God’s plan for us is always better than what we hoped for. We need to be expectant no matter what our circumstances are. Even though we may find ourselves nearsighted and unable to imagine a way out, let us choose to expect the unexpected from our Lord and Savior who knows our hearts better than we know them.


Today’s Bible Reading: Exodus 2:1-10

By Kaelah Byrom - An excerpt from For Such A Time As This: Walking Through Crisis

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