Romans 8:24-25 - Expecting

September 9, 2018

Romans 8:24-25

NIV - For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

MSG - That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more that waiting diminished a pregnant mother.  We are enlarged in the waiting.  We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us.  But the longer we wait, the larger we become and the more joyful our expectancy.

I heard this verse in the "Get Your Hopes Up" book I mentioned last week.  It is not the version she used in her book, as it ended with waiting with "patience and composure" but I cannot find that version and my loan of the book has expired.  What drew me to the verse is the idea that you cannot hope for what you already have.

I cannot hope for what I already have.  Reading the two versions of these verses really gives me a good comparison of what is hope and what is expectancy and how the patience of waiting for the right time is so very important.  I can understand better "for in this hope we were (are) saved" by comparing it to the child yet to be born.  And to understand well that I am looking for and expecting something not yet delivered to me.  It is always harder for the expectant mom to wait patiently than for those around her because she feels the enlarging part so very intimately.  The one with the most to gain needs the most hope and patience?  (And I know better than to pray for patience.)

Reading this aloud, I hear that waiting does not diminish me.  And I am coming to see that I will always be waiting for something. There is always more good God can do for me, and more He has in store for me and my family, and more and more and more.  I am to hope for what I do not have, wait patiently, and not no let myself become discouraged or disgruntled in the pregnant pause before the hallelujah.

I remember my boys waiting for the cake to be done, or the miles to pass, or the guests to arrive.  They did not always wait as patiently as I would have liked, but in the waiting also grew the anticipation, the excitement, the expectation of all the good that was about to happen.  Jesus chuckles at our protestations and says, "Hang on, we are almost there."  My whining will not make it happen any faster, but my hope and joy in the patience of waiting can make the waiting easier to tolerate, for all of us!  So take a deep breath and get ready, we are almost there.

The song hanging around the last few days is, "Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus, Oh for strength to love You more."

Love to you all!