As I sit down to write these thoughts for this week, there is a whole lot of anticipation. The anticipation is not for our upcoming church meeting! This anticipation could be the arrival tonight of a special day of rest and worship with our Creator. No, that is not the anticipation of so many. They are eagerly making plans for travel, for food, for large screen TV's, for certain colors of clothes to wear and many other plans—all in anticipation of an event called the Super Bowl! What a whole lot of anticipation and money and time expended. Probably 50% of people are hoping their green team will win. The other 50% of people are hoping that their loved red team will win. And it seems to be pretty much an even chance for either team to win. But each team anticipates that they will win. Anticipation is high for the game and its outcome. Some will be happy at the outcome. Some will be sad or even angry. No one anticipates losing. But one team will definitely lose and it won't be the anticipation hoped for.
We traveled one of our northeast Iowa roads that road engineers located on one of the high backbones of our hilly corner of Iowa. I enjoy traveling on the backbone roads where you can look down on the distant rolling hills and valleys. It seems that you are on top of the world looking down on creation. It reminds me of a song!
Lookin’ down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found
Ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world
There is only one wish on my mind
When this day is through I hope that I will find
That tomorrow will be, just the same for you and me
All I need will be mine if you are here
I'm on the top of the world
Lookin’ down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found
Ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world
(Top of the World by The Carpenters)
-----The song reminds me that if God is by our side, everything will be fine, good or bad.
On this day of enjoying driving along top of our corner of the world, we suddenly noticed ugly black tire marks that started on our highway lane, continued for many feet, then crossed the center line, continued for several more feet going the wrong way on the opposing lane and then headed into the ditch— a very steep deep hillside ditch. And then we noticed a large, burned area. We could only imagine the rest of this scenario, but we were sure that the imagined accident did not end well for someone. We were pretty sure that whoever was involved had anticipated a successful “mission completed” kind of trip that day. They did not anticipate nor planned to have such a dangerous accident. Their anticipated destination was probably abandoned. Their unplanned accident on their anticipated trip led to a disappointing end. We said a prayer that this accident did not end up as serious as it looked to us.
Recently we received a package delivery that we had nearly forgotten about but one that I had been eagerly anticipating! So, when it arrived, I realized it was for me and contained a new cover to replace the broken cover of my phone. It was a gift ordered especially for me! I eagerly opened this anticipated gift and did my best to put it on my phone. But since I am not so good at using "new things", I requested help. Help did not help so much. We tried to get help from someone with lots of experience. And that help told us that there was no way any one could make it work because it was the wrong size. My anticipation turned to disappointment. And now I have a cover that I can't use, and it doesn't seem like anyone else wants it either. My anticipation ended in disappointment.
We were on our way anticipating an excursion to the Mississippi River. This is the time of year when eagles often become numerous near the river. And since there was an advertised Ice Fishing contest, we thought that the eagles would be enjoying this contest and visit the fishermen begging for fish handouts. We had seen this happen in other years and anticipated a fun afternoon watching the eagles going "fishing." We drove to our favorite viewing spot in great anticipation. As we neared the place, we observed that there wasn't the anticipated crowd of fishermen or eagles that we expected. And we noticed that the river levels were quite low. We could see where the ice had collapsed along the shore as the water had gone down. Needless to say, our anticipation of looking forward to a fun afternoon excursion turned rapidly to disappointment. Often things don’t go as planned. We can’t anticipate what happens or happened.
This summer and into the fall, I was anticipating surgery to replace a very painful hip. Never one to anticipate dealing with doctors, I was looking forward to this surgery even while fearful. And my anticipation did not lead to disappointment this time. The never-ending pain has been relieved! No disappointment this time!
Children anticipate everything from birthdays to family vacations. They await good things with high hopes and expect they won't be disappointed. There’s no doubt that we all once were kids with high anticipation hopes, too. As we grew older, however, we lost some of our anticipation high hopes. Maybe it’s because we’ve been disappointed one too many times. Perhaps we don’t expect anything because we don’t feel worthy of receiving anything good. Or maybe, we just don’t believe it’s meant for good things to come our way.
Take prayer for example. How many times do we/I petition the Lord and then fail to expect/anticipate an answer? Or sometimes we anticipate an answer but then are disappointed when we seem to get the wrong answer, the unexpected, unanticipated answer! Disciple John tells us, “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask; because we obey his commands and do what pleases him” (1 John 3:21-22). I can have this confidence. In fact, as a child of God, I should be so confident in Him that I expect good things like answered prayer, a healed relationship, the home coming of a wayward lost pet, forgiveness of sins—whatever we ask.
When my children would ask something of me, they expected an answer. Then they would anticipate the fulfilling of that answer. As children of God we should do no less. We should anticipate great things from our wonderful Father God. I should expect Him to hear my cries and respond to them, so much so that we should be looking with anticipation all around us for His answer and provision.
Bible teacher, Henry Blackaby said, “After we pray, whatever happens next is God’s answer.” Wow, sometimes I must miss out on God’s loving response to my prayer because I don’t anticipate a reply.
The Bible teaches that believing is seeing. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). We must believe in order to see God’s provisions. I should ask myself: “Do you simply hope God will answer your needs, or do you see God’s generous hand at work in your life? Do you wait with expectancy and anticipation, or do you doubt His provision?” Do you simply hope God will answer your needs, or do you see God’s generous hand at work in your life? Do you wait with expectancy or do you doubt His provision? God might seem slow at responding, but He’s always right on time. While it might be nice if God owned the same clock as we do, still I/we can always count on His perfect timing.
We will see God when we anticipate His involvement in our lives. We will see Him when we can say, “His answer and provision may come slow, but they are sure to come, and I will wait with expectation and anticipation.”
Dear Lord, today I chose to anticipate Your work in my life. Show me great and mighty things that only you can do. And I will praise Your Holy Name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Others have suggested writing prayers in a journal and then record whatever happens next. Watch with anticipation as you record each response and see how God is working on your behalf.
Some Bible waiting promises:
Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (NIV)
Psalm 145:15-16, “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” (NIV)
Psalm 130:5, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.” (NIV)
"Anticipated" things are essentially events, experiences, or developments that someone is looking forward to or expects to happen in the future; often with a sense of excitement or preparation involved, like a new movie, a holiday, a promotion at work, or a long-awaited vacation. Or the excitement of a holiday season approaching, a graduation or wedding. I remember anticipating my own wedding for six long months. And then my anticipation had a wonderful ending! Many are eagerly anticipating this weekend's ball game, but will they be disappointed in the outcome? When a new updated phone is expected to be released, lines form as people anticipate how wonderful the innovative features will be. If you have a job, you often anticipate getting a raise or bonus. You might be disappointed if it isn't as much as you anticipated. We often schedule group zoom calls with our kids and their families. We anticipate these calls for days and weeks as we all live at great distances from each other. The anticipation is only disappointing when someone can't be available when the call is scheduled. This year there are anticipated sky events. Mark your calendar. The next lunar eclipse happens on the night of March 13th. There shouldn’t be a bad seat in the house for the lower 48! Barring weather, of course! Also, see the planets aligning in the night sky. Last year, we had many chances to anticipate a showing of the Northern Lights. Sometimes our anticipation led to disappointment when it wasn't a very spectacular show.
"Anticipated" things defined—
Expectation: There is a sense of knowing or believing that something will happen.
Positive connotation: Usually implies looking forward to something with pleasure.
Preparation: People might start planning or making arrangements in anticipation of the event.
Hope springs eternal, and for many, January 1, 2025 was an anticipated new beginning, a new dawn. We always have limited time before the dawn of the new year fades, and we’re left to confront our untended bad habits and the horrors and ugliness of the sinful world. We must make the most of this fleeting moment of optimism.
There are plenty of things for those who like sports to anticipate in 2025. But are these things we should spend time anticipating? Are other things to anticipate that are more important to our salvation. The ending of sports events can be disappointing, but Salvation will never disappoint.
This year many are anticipating the General Conference session! It will be a world event right here in our conference. I anticipate listening to some of it! I love to see the large group of people representing our church that help us move forward in our growth as a church.
“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.” Psalm 62:6 (KJV) In the Bible, people anticipated God's promises, the coming of the Messiah, and life in heaven. Anticipation of God's promises—Answered prayers: God will hear and respond to prayers
Healed relationships anticipated: God can heal relationships
Forgiveness: God forgives sins
Eternal life: God promises eternal life to believers
Peace: God promises peace that surpasses anything on earth
Long ago there was an Anticipation of the Messiah—Isaiah 9:6-7: A prophecy about the birth of a child who will be a "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”. Luke 19:11: People expected Jesus to establish his kingdom immediately. Today we also anticipate the coming of our Messiah. And His coming also let us have an Anticipation of life in heaven. Isaiah 25:8: God will swallow up death forever and wipe away tears. Matthew 5:4: Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Revelation 21:3-5: God will wipe away every tear from eyes, and death shall be no more. I anticipate that wonderful day that I hope is coming soon!
Anticipation is looking forward with excitement to what is coming, with the assurance that it will be good. And my anticipation will be SATISFIED!