Eager Expectations

I read something the other morning that revealed something in my life that I did not even realize I was doing and I think it is a trap that many of those who follow Jesus might periodically fall into as well. I read it in Psalm 5. It is in the first 3 verses where it says: "1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my groaning. 2 Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. 3 In the morning, O LORD, you will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to you and eagerly watch."

David, the writer of this Psalm, knew that God listened to his prayers. He pleaded with God to hear his problems, his needs and his cries for help. He recognized God as King, the one who has all authority and his Lord, with all the power to answer any prayer. Most of us know this, at least in our minds, whether we give voice to it regularly or not. But what caught my eye was v3. David would start each day praying, talking to God and letting God know about his desires, needs and situation for the day. Then, he says, he will eagerly watch! Watch for what? For God to answer and be involved in his day in response to his prayers.

When my wife is gone for any number of days, and I know when she is expected back home, I anticipate it. I look forward to seeing her. I eagerly wait for her to get home. I am watching for her arrival. It makes me excited. It makes me wonder how often I pray, laying my heart before God, but then go about my day, not watching and not really expecting God to do anything specifically in response to my prayers. When he does answer, I am often surprised. I don't think this is how it should be.

God invites us to come to him. To pray specific and personal prayers. To pray God-sized prayers. To pray prayers that reflect his heart for us, our families and the world. When we do that, God delights in answering, working and being active. If I am looking for it, eagerly waiting for his intervention and answers, then when I see opportunities they will not pass me by. When God answers I will have specific and amazing reasons to praise him. And it will fuel my relationship with him and my prayers even more.

So, let's seek God, and then eagerly look for him throughout the day.