Great Expectations
Psalms 118:8
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in man.
Have you ever made a mistake? Have you ever failed someone? I’d be willing to guess the answer is “yes”. This is not because I think you’re awful and think low of you, but because you are most likely human. I hate failing people but even more I hate failing God. What we are about to talk about here is forgiveness. It is something that, at times, we both need and need to give. We are so thankful that our Heavenly Father has forgiven us but do we offer the same grace to those who have wronged us? Do we offer it to ourselves?
We live (whether we like to admit it or not) in a realm of expectations. Actually, God created us and this earth that way. Expectation is the embodiment of faith. However, like emotion, it is only good in the right context. Emotions are wonderful but you can’t live on them. Similarly, though we are to have expectations, if we have them in the wrong area, they will fail us. Faith, as described to us in Hebrews 11:1, is the promise, it is the title deed or proof of the things we expect will be. That expectation can only be found according to God’s Word and based in His character. The only thing worthy of us having faith (expectation of promise) in is that which God has provided. I’ll save you some worry, He has promised great and mighty things! Consider, however, our opening scripture, trust God not man.
The Bible say in Romans 13:8, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” If we follow this and the law of love found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, you will quickly realize that no man owes you anything. In fact, true love, which we are to have for everyone, never requires of another. If you are mad at someone, if someone has hurt you and you can’t seem to let it go, if you just can’t seem to forgive someone, it is because of one thing: you had expectations and they were not met. This even includes if the person in question is yourself!
The Bible says trust (have expectation) in God, not man. If you are harboring anything against anyone (and yes again you are included) it is because your faith is in them not God! Wow!
So how do we move from hurt to forgiveness? We change our focus from what doesn’t matter to the One who does. If you are hurt, let it go. No human ever could or ever will fulfill you. There is only one who can, that is the most high God Who always comes through! God heals, God redeems, and God sets all things right. Trust in God and not man, forgive those who are bound by their nature to fail and you will find a whole new ability to love and the peace of God will fill all the voids!
Be Blessed,
Pastor Jeff
