Ask and Expect

Expectation is God's invitation for a miracle. I have come to understand that having no expectation of God's ability in my life is like closing the door in His face. But if on the other hand, I will open the door of my heart with expectation, I will always receive!

There is a difference between routine and expectation. We read about that in Acts 3:1-7:
"Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, 'Look at us.' So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.' And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength."

This lame man had a routine. Every day he was taken to the gate at the temple to ask for money as people went in to pray. No different than any other day or any other time, he asked of Peter and John as they were entering. The man may not have been initially expecting to receive from them, because it seems his eyes were already focused on others walking up behind. Peter had to say to the lame man, "Look at us." These words got the man's attention and he looked up "expecting to receive something."

We know the man was expecting to receive money because he was a beggar and that's all he knew. He didn't know he could expect anything else or that there was something to help him in his condition. But by expecting, his heart became a door for God to enter and perform a miracle. Ephesians 3:20 says that God "...is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." This man most definitely received exceedingly abundantly above what he asked for or what he thought he was receiving.

This man was accustomed to begging. He had been lame from his mother's womb. But you and I are not beggars! We are believers! How much more should we expect to receive from God? This is why faith is a key to our expectation. Hebrews 11:6 says, "For he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." If you have no expectation of God, then how can you receive anything from Him? Some people are misguided into believing that God's sovereignty means that whatever happens happens. Remember, God is sovereign to His Word, but not to circumstances or happenings. If He said it, He will do it, but we must activate expectation.

Some would say according to Matthew 6:8 that the Bible says God already knows the things I have need of before I ask. My response is yes, but He still said to ask and to ask in faith. James 4:2b tells us, "You do not have because you do not ask." Over and over, throughout the Old and New Testament, He says to us, "Ask of Me." The lame man at the gate asked. The amazing thing is because he asked, "expecting to receive" God did above and beyond what the man expected.

What can God do for you and I if we will just ask and expect to receive something? If we are walking uprightly before Him, there is no reason to doubt because we have this promise in 1 John 3:22 "Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." I know you love God and are endeavoring to please Him. So what are you waiting for? Ask and expect to receive!