Law of Expectation 2
I taught our mid-week Bible study at church on the Law of Expectation. I began with Joseph, and how hated he was of his brothers. His father loved him more than his siblings, and gave him a special coat of many colors as proof of that love and favoritism, and then to add to their hatred of him, God gave him two dreams, where the symbolism was without doubt, that Joseph would rule over his siblings, and even his mother and father.
I believe that this strong foundation of huge expectation in his life, allowed Joseph to overcome the extreme events. . . sold into slavery, placed into prison, forgotten promises of Pharoah’s butler to remember him.
To most of us, such terrible events in our life would have led us to withdraw. . . become angry, and sullen thereby ensuring our life in the dregs. . . but Joseph. . . with self-confidence born of his earthly father’s love, and clear messages from God, did not allow his circumstance to dictate his attitude. He overcame again and again and again, with a positive attitude, and ability.
His brothers hated him for his self-confidence. I remember in junior high school, a time of, for many of us, huge uncertainty. . . changes in our bodies. . . changes in our relationships with the opposite sex. . . I came from an uncertain foundation. . . my mother battling severe mental illness, my father immersed in his addiction to alcohol. . . I had little or no self-confidence. I remember one of the harshest things you could say about someone was that they were so full of themselves. . . They are so conceited.
Those people, my friends and myself in our low self-esteem circle, would throw those verbal rocks at people who were self-confident. We were envious of what they had and that we lacked. Our hatred never rose to the murderous levels of Joseph’s brother, but then again they weren’t our siblings. . .
Joseph was chosen by God for the dramatic role of saving his people and he was hated for it.
No one can argue that the Jews are not favored. Despite the hatred, and pogroms, and persecution. . ..concentration camps. . . through the ages, they have prevailed and prospered.
Of all the Nobel prizes that have been awarded, it is estimated that 20% of the awards have gone to those of Jewish descent. The Jews compromise .2% of the world’s population. On a one to one basis, Jews would be expected to win .2% of the Nobel prizes, but the reality is they have won 100 times that amount.
Genesis 22:18 KJV And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Deuteronomy 7:6 KJV For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
The favored are always hated. I’m no sociologist, but is an underlying reason for the Jews persecution, envy of them? Is one reason for their success their expectation of success from the promises of God? Expectations shape reality. If you expect to fail you most certainly will. If you expect to succeed, and are following God’s voice, and keep knocking down the giants which get in your path. . . and don’t allow your present setbacks to affect your attitude, and vision. . . You most certainly will succeed. . .
Peter speaking to believers:
1 Peter 2:9-10 KJV But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
We are a chosen people. Our expectations should be high. We should not be cocky, but we should walk confidently that in God’s eyes we are special, and He has a plan for us. . .
God speaking to the Jews, but I believe applicable to us:
Jeremiah 29:11-13 KJV For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Seek God with all your heart, and when you find Him, walk with confidence not matter what trials or giants you might face.
Hebrews 13:5-6 KJV Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Be strong, and fill your heart, and your prayers with high expectation each day. . .and you will prevail.
I love You my God. . .
You are my Lord. . .
Dave
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