Expectations

We all have expectations; a sense of what should be or what is to come. This week my mother is having back surgery. I expect that the surgeon had a formative education, that he knows what he is doing. I expect that my mom will be ok, that her surgery will go well and that she will be home for Christmas! I expect that God will care for her, no matter what comes her way.

For 400 hundred years the people of God expected a Savior. He was to save them from the government, their earthly captivity, and the rulers of this earth. That is a long time to wait in expectation. Then, the Savior they received was nothing like what they thought! He was born in a lowly stable, surrounded by stinky sheep and shepherds. His mom was no queen, just a simple teenager who said yes to God. He wasn’t born with a crown or plans of an early palace rule. Instead He was the King of kings and the Lord of lords.  The only crown He dawned was one of thorns. He exceeded all expectations. And He is still doing it today. And now we wait…we wait in expectation for His return. My guess is that it too will surprise us and be more wonderful than we can begin to imagine. In the meantime I will simply live in expectation, praying “Maranatha, Lord Come”.

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne