Who Is in Power (Part 111) "Expectations"

If you haven't read the analogy I wrote that I will be referencing to, here is a link to read it now. Part III will be covering the topic of "Expectations" (roughly paragraphs four through six).

​​What do you expect of God? Have you ever thought about that? Do you treat Him as if you expect something from Him. I know I have definitely done this. I can think of times that I have thought of God as a bail out. I expect Him to help me when I'm in trouble. If you do something stupid, or something you know was wrong, and it back fires, should you expect God to do anything?

Maybe you expect God to say, "I told you so!" Maybe you expect God to be like, "Here I'll help you out this one time." or, "Come on, really? I can't believe you! You are such a mess up!" Maybe you expect Him to not say anything at all or not to even look at you.

God is loving and is full of overwhelming mercy. He will get you through every mistake you have made. This is not to be used in your own way. Don't expect God to "bail you out" when you decide to do the same sin every day without caring about God's direction. He will not be angry with you or throw you out of His family, but instead He will wait for you. Treat God with the respect He deserves. If you had someone you were in authority of, asked them to do as you said, and they did the complete opposite, would you not be let down? You expected them to listen! 
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Galatians 5:13 (ESV)

Think of it this way. When you were (or still are) living with your parents, did you ever say to your father, "Dad, did you do that list of chores I gave to you, yet?" Did you ever say, "Dad, the grass looks high. Go mow the lawn." or, "Dad, I broke the window with the baseball. Go clean it up before Mom gets home. If she sees it, you did it." OF COURSE NOT! What kind of respect is that? My dad would not be happy if I talked like that. I'd be lucky if He didn't punish me for disrespect like that, but that is how you treat God.

"God, did you get me a raise at work yet? If not, I need it! Can't you help me out?" Maybe what you ask isn't always a bad thing to ask for, but there is a lack of faith. instead of asking for a raise, ask God to be the great provider as He has been throughout the Bible. Think of the ways He provided for Israel. He guided them day and night, told them when to move and when to set up camp, and even fed them. It's not wrong to ask God to help you; it's the way you ask Him. 
"And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people." Exodus 13:22-23 (KJV)
"Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”" Exodus 16:4-5 (ESV)

"God, you know Paul has cancer. Can you just cure Him and put Him out of misery? You are making Paul and his family go through a very hard trial. How can you do that to Him? I thought you were a loving God!" Sometimes we ask God to do things that are not part of His will. We can pray, and pray, and pray, expecting an answer; but God doesn't always give the answer we like. Know that God has a reason for everything He allows to happen to people. Whether it's a trial or a blessing, God has a reason. Trust His way even when you think His way is wrong. God knows the future; He can see further down the highway than we can. He has a better view of the next exit for your life and the lives of all His children.
"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)
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"God, can't you see the mess I made with my life? Can you erase it or sweep it under the carpet for me? Do Something!" Sometimes, we try to switch places with God. We try to make God the servant, make Him drive, and tell Him where to go. God doesn't do that; God will not submit to someone as faulty as you or me. There is only ONE God, and that God is not you. Stop trying to steal His authority; the position of a servant is an overwhelming blessing.
"If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him." John 12:26 (ESV)

When you try to snatch God's place away from Him, you try to live a life driven by pride like Satan once did. He is a great example of how pride can drive you. God gives you a position of a servant, a friend, and most importantly a child, but you let your ego get in the way and say you want better. God didn't allow Satan to take His glory; don't think you are any special exception. Be thankful as a servant of God. Don't try to make God the driver of your life and listen to your ways. God doesn't drive; God guides.
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105 (KJV)
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God expects His servants to live life according to His word. He provides direction; you just have to follow. Two mistakes that Christians make are following their own way instead, or not moving at all, expecting God to somehow make things happen in your life while you sit back and watch. The Bible is full of verses about the lust of our flesh and desires of our heart. The Christian life is described as a life of labor with effort in it. That shuts down both those ideas. You are God's servant who is expected to follow Him.

The bottom line is that you cannot expect anything from God. He has already given you so much and you're going to be ungrateful and ask for more? How selfish can you get? God has given you more than you can ever ask! God provided a way for unity between God and man, and that's not enough for you? We are trash, that God decided to make into something beautiful, and we are still disappointed in Him. It's sad how we let our pride get in the way of who our God truly is.

Remember that God is in power. You are the servant. God has already given you plenty; be thankful for what He has given and know that He will still provide. You are the servant; God expects you to live for His purpose. It's your choice. Live the life of your dreams, (dreams fade and lead to disappointment) or live the life that you, as a Christian, have been called to live. God has a purpose and plan for you. Go seek it out.