The Joy Of Expectation

This week, our cat Blackie, reminded me of another great truth.  I generally feed Blackie at 6:30am and again at 4:00pm.  There are times when I am delayed, especially the 4:00pm dinner time.  Sometimes I’m out and don’t get back until much later.  It always makes me smile as I pull onto the driveway and then under the carport.  Even if I’m several hours late, there is Blackie, waiting, expecting.  He knows I’ll be there and he will get his dinner.

As I get out of the car, Blackie follows me to the door.  He knows that moments later I will reappear with his evening meal.  I can tell there is no doubt in his mind that his dinner is coming.  As I place his bowl in front of him, he begins to devour his meal, occasionally glancing in my direction.  Once in a while he leaves his bowl to rub along my arm, meowing his pleasure.  Blackie is not angry that I’m late.  After all, not getting his dinner was ever in his mind.  His expectation of my care for him overrides all doubt.

As I was watching Blackie eat his delayed meal yesterday, I thought of the verses in Psalm 9:1-2, “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.  I will be filled with joy because of you.  I will sing praises to your name, Oh Most High.”  That was Blackie’s attitude toward me!  In his little cat brain, I have done the most marvelous of things in getting his dinner.  He is filled with joy because of that act.  He meows his pleasure for all I have done for him.  I am important in his life and he shows me that  I am.  In turn, I too, am filled with great pleasure.

You and I can learn a lot from this cat.  He never doubts I will give him what he needs, even  though he must, at times, wait for what he desires.  He is calm in his expectation; joyful in what he knows will come.  Do you and I feel the same way about our Awesome God?  When we are waiting for a need to be met, do we really expect it to happen, or do we merely hope with a leaning that it might not take place.  We miss out on so much joy and peace of mind when we lean toward the doubt rather than the expectation.

Has God ever let anyone down?  No.  Is He going to start with you?  No.  His promises stand for eternity without mistake.  Let us not forget God’s promise in Isaiah 40:31, “Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.”  Let’s determine today that we will not grow weary in waiting.  Let us not faint as the minutes tick by.  Like Blackie, let us revel in the anticipation of what is coming.  Let us never doubt His goodness, but joyfully expect it.