The concept of living expectantly is deeply rooted in the Christian faith, reflecting a posture of hope, anticipation, and readiness for God's promises and actions. This attitude is not merely passive waiting but involves active faith and trust in God's timing and purposes.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible frequently encourages believers to live with an expectant heart, looking forward to the fulfillment of God's promises. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were often called to wait expectantly for God's deliverance and intervention. For instance, in Psalm 5:3 , David writes, "In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation." This verse highlights the practice of presenting one's requests to God and then waiting with anticipation for His response.

In the New Testament, the theme of expectancy is closely tied to the return of Jesus Christ. Believers are urged to live in a state of readiness, anticipating His second coming. In Titus 2:13 , Paul writes, "as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." This expectancy is not just about future events but also involves living a life that reflects the values and teachings of Christ in the present.

Expectancy in Prayer

Expectancy is a crucial element in the life of prayer. Jesus taught His disciples to pray with faith and anticipation. In Mark 11:24 , He says, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." This instruction underscores the importance of approaching God with a confident expectation that He hears and answers prayers according to His will.

Expectancy and Faith

Living expectantly is closely linked to faith. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." This assurance and certainty are foundational to an expectant life. Believers are called to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem contrary. The patriarch Abraham is a prime example of this expectant faith. Romans 4:18-21 describes how "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, 'So shall your offspring be.'"

Expectancy in Daily Life

An expectant attitude influences how Christians live their daily lives. It encourages a lifestyle of holiness, service, and witness. In 1 Peter 1:13 , believers are exhorted, "Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." This verse calls for a disciplined and hopeful mindset, ready to act in accordance with God's will.

Expectancy and the Holy Spirit

The role of the Holy Spirit is vital in cultivating an expectant heart. The Spirit empowers believers to live in anticipation of God's work in and through them. Romans 8:23 speaks of this longing, "Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." The Holy Spirit assures believers of their future inheritance and encourages them to live in hopeful expectation.

Conclusion

The biblical call to live expectantly is a dynamic and active stance that permeates every aspect of a believer's life. It is characterized by a confident hope in God's promises, a readiness for Christ's return, and a faithful engagement in prayer and daily living. Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, Christians are equipped to maintain this posture of expectancy, trusting in God's perfect timing and sovereign plan.4327. prosdechomai -- to receive to oneself
... open) manner; to with . 4327 ("wait actively, expectantly") means being
"ready and willing" to give . 4327 () then expresses waiting ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4327.htm - 8k6822. tsaphah -- to look out or about, spy, keep watch
... out or about, spy, keep watch NASB Word Usage destined (1), keep watch (3), lookout
(1), looks well (1), spies (1), watch (3), watch expectantly (1), watched (1 ...
/hebrew/6822.htm - 6k

3176. yachal -- to wait, await
... root Definition to wait, await NASB Word Usage delay (1), have hope (2), hope (13),
hoped (1), wait (13), wait expectantly (2), waited (7), waste time (1). ...
/hebrew/3176.htm - 6k

Shall we Go?
... He is expectantly waiting our response, expectantly waiting the day when things
will have ripened on the earth for the next step in the great plan. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/shall we go.htm

The Law of Change, or Mutation, Universal.
... Such a cloud overcast Etruria, burning down her ancient Volsinii, to teach Campania
(all the more by the ereption of her Pompeii) to look expectantly upon her ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter ii the law of change.htm

What do we Count them Worth?
... dark. An earnest young schoolmaster had been sent to keep that light burning
there, and we went expectantly. Had the light spread? ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxix what do we.htm

Jesus Only!
... Christ. (a) Its inhabitants are undying. (b) Are subject to the sway of Jesus.
(c) Are expectantly waiting a glorious future. 4. They ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/jesus only.htm

The Genesis Water-Mark.
... The mother-bird nestles softly down upon the nest in the crotch of the tree, patiently,
expectantly brooding, by the strength of her own life giving life to ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/the genesis water-mark.htm

"Christ Also Waits. "
... His return. But one man, an earnest, godly old minister said, "How can you
be looking expectantly for a thousand years?". But will ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/christ also waits.htm

A Trained Ear.
... First the ear heard, then the voice persistently claimed, and the eye expectantly
looked. First the voice of God, then the voice of man. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/a trained ear.htm

Death by Disuse
... Then we had prayer and a quiet time; sometimes the Spirit works most in quiet,
and we rose expectantly; but there was no sign of life. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xiii death by disuse.htm

The Coming of the Pharaoh
... Thereafter followed matters which Kenkenes did not read. He rolled the letter and
gave it back to Io. The little girl sat expectantly watching his face. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xiii the coming of.htm

The Church of Notre Dame De Lorette in Paris with Its Yellow ...
... And when the people seated immediately around the pulpit lifted their eyes expectantly
to the popular preacher's face, several of the more observant noticed ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xiii the church of notre.htm

Expectantly (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Expectantly (6 Occurrences). ... In the morning I will
lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly. (WEB). ...
/e/expectantly.htm - 7k

Expectation (25 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Psalms 5:3 Yahweh, in the morning you shall hear my voice. In the morning
I will lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly. (See NIV). ...
/e/expectation.htm - 15k

Requests (29 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 5:3 Yahweh, in the morning you shall hear my voice. In the morning
I will lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly. (WEB NIV). ...
/r/requests.htm - 15k

Expectant (1 Occurrence)

/e/expectant.htm - 7k

Eagerly (36 Occurrences)
... Psalms 5:3 Yahweh, in the morning you shall hear my voice. In the morning I will
lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly. (See NAS). ...
/e/eagerly.htm - 15k

What does it mean to wait on the Lord? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about patience? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about prayerlessness? | GotQuestions.org

Expectantly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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