“Prayerfully allow your expectant desires to birth God’s will.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 18, 2026
And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 2 Corinthians 8:5
Healthy expectations revolve around God and His desires. His will, not yours, be done. The focus shifts from me to the Lord and others. He orchestrates the concert of life, so the goal is to discover His role for me and follow His lead. Then the motive toward people becomes serving them to carry out the Holy Spirit’s plan for their lives.
Paul explains why the Macedonian church’s generosity was so extraordinary. They exceeded his expectations because they did not give money first and hope God would be pleased. They gave themselves first to the Lord, unreservedly, and everything else, including their money, followed. Generosity is never really about the gift. It is about the surrender that produces the gift. When you are given to God, your possessions have already gone with you. Surrender first to His will.
How can you understand the Lord’s will for your spouse, child, or work associate? Character-driven expectations can help you get to the heart of their true need. Focus on fewer expectations and more on trust. Let your expectations begin and end with the character of God. Expect less, and you will receive more. You can expect His faithfulness. Agree to expect what God expects and allow your expectant desires to birth His.
“My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him” (Psalm 62:5, NKJV).
Expectations determine your contentment, joy, and peace. Holding unrealistic expectations of others is the quickest way to set yourself up for disappointment. People will let you down, just as you will let them down. Your pride demands perfection. Your humility will influence others toward improvement and maturity. Your patience will help build a life, while your impatience will tear one down. Your role is to provide an environment of acceptance and accountability that allows God to change the heart.
Your expectation is to trust God with your life. Submit to Him. Your hope is in the Lord. He will align everyone’s expectations with His. You can expect this! Today, surrender yourself before you think or do anything else. Randy Alcorn wisely reminds us in his book The Treasure Principle, “God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.” Giving our life away creates healthy expectations.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1-2).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I give myself first. Take my body, my time, my treasure: all of me. Realign my expectations to Yours. Make me trust You with every outcome and every person. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
What does the Lord expect of me in the life roles He has assigned to me?
Related Reading
Job 29:21; Psalm 5:3; Matthew 20:1-16; Philippians 1:20
Worship Resource
Hillsong Worship: I Surrender
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