What Do You Expect? pt. 2

“What do you see?”

Many times God asks that question of us.   Why?  Does He really need a newscast?  Is He unable to see or perceive it for Himself?

Perception is the reality we live in no matter what the facts are.  How do we see the world around us?  Is it hostile or good to us?  Am I a victor or a victim?   Lack or provision?    What do you see?

In Psalm 27, David talks about when our enemies and their armies come against us and even surround us, the place to go is not to war but to look at God’s goodness and perfection.  As I look at His goodness and the perfection of His character as our protector, source and favor, we recognize we are safe in the day of trouble no matter the outcome because He holds us through the storm.

Isaiah 6 even says, “the whole earth is full of His glory.“

What are the primary things you see?   Do you primarily see darkness and what the enemy is doing or do you see the evidence and traces of God’s goodness, hope, help, redemption and healing in every situation?

The fact is anyone – even a blind man – can see darkness even with their eyes closed.  It is not difficult to see darkness, but it takes eyes of faith and discernment to see what God is doing beyond the surface.

When God asks questions, He is not needing answers.  The question was asked to reveal something about our heart or faith.  Do we see what He sees?  Do we believe what He says?

Luke 5:16 says Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray.  Why would Jesus “often” pull away from the noise and the urgent?   He pulled away from the noise, the chatter, the crowds, the opinions and popular views because He wanted to make sure when He arrived on the scene He saw through the lens of the Father’s goodness, purpose and plans.

Ephesians 1:18 is a prayer that the eyes of our heart be opened to see the hope (expectation of His goodness) He has called us to and the riches of His inheritance to those who believe.  Who believe what?  That believe He is who He says He is and will do what He said He will do.   We have been stuck on this verse for weeks now:

You are good, and the source of good;
train me in your goodness. Psalm 119:68

In the kingdom, it is not what you know it is what you believe.  The greatest battle you will ever face is the battle to determine what you believe about God’s goodness.  He is giving you and invitation to be trained in His goodness because what you believe about the Father’s nature and character determines what you believe about what He says.

As I was thinking about this the other day, I asked my son on the way to school, “If I say we are going to get a burger after school do you believe me?”    He quickly said, “Nope!”  Lesson learned.   Knowing what someone has said and believing what they say are two entirely different things.

It is not what you know, it is what you believe and what you believe is what you expect.  Is God true to His word?  Does He have my best in mind at all times and every season triumphs and trials?  Is He there before, during and after the storm?

Father God, “Train me in the expectation of your goodness.  Not to expect life without difficulty, but that I would be at rest in your goodness and promises.”