“So he got up and came to his [own] father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness for him]; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him [fervently].” Luke 15:20 (Amplified)
An end that we are expecting and are prepared for can seldom catch us by surprise for to be forewarned is to be forearmed. This is the reason why nothing catches God by surprise because the bible says in Isa 46:10 that He always sees the end from the beginning and is thus prepared for any eventuality. The story of the prodigal son is a classical illustration of this principle in that it depicts how God waits in anticipation for the repentance of lost humanity. From God’s perspective, the issue is not whether mankind would ultimately return to Him but when and was thus prepared to receive him back into fellowship. In the story of the prodigal son, the reason the father could have seen him while he was still a great way off was because he had anticipated his son’s return and had as a consequence positioned himself to be ready to receive him when he does turn up. This sense of anticipation, also called hope, was the product of the faith he had that his son would one day return and this was what informed his behaviour of eagerly looking out in anticipation of that event. I make bold to say that it was the father’s faith that actually precipitated the event of the son’s return.
The above statement is in tune with the intrinsic character of faith, which the bible defines in Heb 11:1 as being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This implies that the fact that you cannot presently see something is no proof that it does not already exist. As spiritual beings, we Christians walk by faith and not by sight. Faith guarantees the fact that the reality we have seen in the spiritual realm as decreed by God’s word would in time become a physical reality we experience in line with God’s will for our lives. Faith involves taking hold of God’s word, believing that it is true and then acting on that belief by putting all our resources – spiritual, physical etc into realising the end God has decreed in His word. This positive action sets the forces of heaven in motion to work to achieve the end decreed in God’s word.
However, just as faith becomes a reality thorough our believing expectation, fear, the opposite of faith, works in a similar manner. In fact, the word FEAR is defined as False Expectation Appearing Real. Hence, whether in positive or negative terms, what you expect is what you ultimately possess. If you expect life as you demonstrate faith in God word, life is what you will get. If however fear is the dominant force in your life, don’t be too surprised if whatever you fear ultimately shows up on your doorstep, a fact proven in Job’s life. You invite whatever you expect. So, if your expectation presently negates what God’s word has already decreed about your life, then change it and empower God to accomplish His plans in your life to the glory of His name. The bible says that the expectations of the righteous shall not be cut off. So believe and expect. Have the faith of God and change your world for the better.
Prayer:
Lord, your word says that the world was made through faith. Heb. 11:2. Today, I make a commitment to cultivate that kind of faith that created the world, your kind of faith. I hereby speak in faith over my situation and command it to line up with what God has already decreed about me. I decree that you kingdom come and your will be done in my life in Jesus name. Amen.