Life is often full of expectations. We expect good health, secure jobs, strong families, and smooth days. And when things don’t go the way we thought they should, disappointment quickly follows. But while God never promised to meet all of our expectations, He has guaranteed to keep every one of His promises. The difference is life-changing: when we live in expectations, we will be disappointed. But when we trust in His promises, He will never fail us.
One of the clearest pictures of this truth comes from the home of Mary and Martha in John chapter 11. Their brother Lazarus had fallen sick, and the sisters did what any of us would do—they sent word to Jesus, expecting Him to come heal their brother. After all, they had seen Him open blind eyes, cleanse lepers and heal the lame. Surely He would rush to help the one He loved.
But Jesus didn’t come right away. In fact, by the time He arrived, Lazarus had been in the grave four days. From their perspective, Jesus failed to meet their expectation. Both Mary and Martha greeted Him with the same words: “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” Their hearts were crushed. Their expectations were shattered.
Yet in that moment of deep grief, Jesus shifted their focus from what they expected to what He had promised. He declared, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” They wanted healing, but He offered resurrection. They wanted their brother back temporarily, but Jesus pointed them to a greater reality—eternal life through Him.
The same pattern is repeated throughout Scripture. The Israelites expected a Messiah who would overthrow Rome, but God sent a Savior who would conquer sin and death. Paul expected God to remove his thorn in the flesh, but instead received the greater promise: “ My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Even Jesus’ disciples expected the cross to mean defeat, but God had promised resurrection on the third day. Time and again, God’s promises prove far better than man’s expectations.
This truth is just as relevant in our lives today. We often expect God to answer our prayers in a certain way, to fix situations on our timeline, or to prevent the pain we fear most. When He doesn’t, our faith can waver. But the Bible reminds us that His promises never fail. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He has promised to work all things together for good to them that love Him (Romans 8:28). He has promised eternal life to all who believe in Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
Notice the difference: expectations are built on what we think God should do, while promises are built on what He has already said He will do. Expectations often end in frustration, but promises anchor us in hope.
When we face sickness, loss, or disappointment, we can respond like Mary and Martha—pouring out our hearts honestly before the Lord. But then we must let Him lift our eyes above our expectations to the certainty of His promises. The healing may not come when or how we want it, but His grace is sufficient. The deliverance may not look like we pictured, but His presence is sure. The outcome may surprise us, but His promises remain unshaken.
Friend, don’t live chained to expectations, rather they be positive or negative, that will only leave you discouraged. Live by faith in the promises of God. He has never broken one yet, and He never will. Mary and Martha learned that lesson at a tomb in Bethany, when the One they thought had let them down called their brother out of the grave. And we can learn it too, if we will trust that God’s promises are always greater than our expectations.
Jimmy Barrett is a resident of Blackshear and pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Waycross.
