Scriptures:
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Romans 8:28
Ephesians 3:20-21
Points:
1. Let His Lamp Lead You
2. Trust His Timing
3. Live with Expectation
The Big Idea: God knows what I don’t, but I know that He’s at work.
As we embark on a new year, we’re reminded of the powerful truth that God knows what we don’t, but we can be certain that He is always at work. This message, rooted in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28, encourages us to trust in God’s perfect plan and timing, even when we can’t see the full picture. Like a lamp unto our feet, God’s word guides us one step at a time, teaching us to embrace a cadence of faith rather than relying solely on our own competence. By living with expectation and allowing God’s word to lead us, we open ourselves to the immeasurable possibilities He has in store for us.
A Future Full of Hope:
As we stand on the threshold of a new year, many of us find ourselves filled with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. We sense the promise of fresh starts and new beginnings, yet we can’t help but wonder what challenges and surprises await us. In times like these, it’s crucial to anchor ourselves in the timeless truths of God’s word and His unwavering promises.
Two powerful scriptures come to mind as we contemplate the journey. First, Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.” This verse serves as an assurance that even when we can’t see the road ahead, God has a perfect plan in motion.
Romans 8:28 declares, “And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” These words remind us that even in the midst of life’s challenges, God is constantly working behind the scenes for our benefit.
As we reflect on these scriptures, a profound truth emerges: God knows what we don’t, but we know that He works.
So how do we practically live out this truth in our daily lives? Here are three key principles to guide us:
- Let His Lamp Lead You
The Psalmist writes that God’s word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. This imagery is beautiful, but it’s important to note that a lamp only illuminates the next step or two. It doesn’t flood the entire path with light. Similarly, God often guides us one step at a time, requiring us to trust Him moment by moment.
In our fast-paced world, we often crave instant clarity and long-term visibility. However, God’s guidance is more like a gentle whisper, a subtle nudge, or a word that resonates in our hearts. It’s about developing a cadence of faith, taking small, consistent steps rather than giant leaps. In the journey of faith, cadence often matters more than competence.
- Trust His Timing
One of the greatest challenges in our walk with God is aligning our timelines with His. We live in an age of instant gratification, where waiting feels like a punishment. Yet, time and again, scripture reminds us of the importance of patience and trusting God’s perfect timing.
- Live with Expectation
When we truly grasp that God knows what we don’t and that He is always at work, it should fundamentally change our outlook on life. Instead of approaching each day with dread or indifference, we can cultivate a spirit of expectation. This doesn’t mean naive optimism, but rather a deep-seated hope rooted in the character and promises of God.
Living with expectation means walking into familiar situations with fresh eyes, believing that God can do something new and extraordinary at any moment. It means inviting friends to church, even when you think they’ll never come, because you trust that God has been working in their hearts. It means facing challenges in your marriage, business, or personal life with the confidence that God is already crafting a solution.
As we embrace these principles, we can draw inspiration from Paul’s powerful prayer in Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we all ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
This prayer reminds us that our God is not just able, but abundantly able. He doesn’t just meet our expectations; He exceeds them in ways we can’t even imagine. And the most incredible part? This power is at work within us, right now, in every circumstance we face.
As we step into this year, let’s choose to live with a renewed sense of purpose and expectation. Let’s allow God’s word to guide our steps, even when we can’t see the full path. Let’s trust His timing, even when delays and detours threaten to discourage us. And let’s cultivate a spirit of expectation, believing that God is able to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine.
What you expect shapes what you pursue. If you expect God to move in powerful ways, you’ll be more attuned to His voice and more ready to participate in His work. Leaders who expect progress inspire progress. It’s about trusting the One who holds the future, knowing that He is good, He is faithful, and He is always at work.
We can embrace the adventure, step out in faith, and watch in wonder as God unfolds His perfect plan for your life.
Discussion Questions
- How can we cultivate a deeper trust in God’s timing, especially when faced with delays or setbacks in our plans?
- In what ways can we apply the concept of ‘God knows what I don’t, but I know that He works’ to our daily lives and decision-making?
- How might viewing God’s Word as a ‘lamp unto our feet’ change our approach to seeking guidance and direction?
- What are some practical ways we can live with greater expectation of God’s work in our lives and communities?
- How can we balance taking action in faith with trusting God’s timing and plan?
- In what areas of your life do you need to shift from competence-driven efforts to a more sustainable, faith-driven cadence?
- How might our perspective on challenges change if we view them as part of God’s larger plan, like the ‘ice cold Coke’ at the top of Satan’s Hill?
- What does it mean to you personally to ‘live with expectation,’ and how might this impact your spiritual journey?
- How can we encourage and support one another in trusting God’s plan, even when we can’t see the full picture?
- In light of Ephesians 3:20, how can we expand our vision and expectations of what God can do in and through us?
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