The more I read, in the Bible, the more my expectations of God are raised. When I read about who God is, what he has done and what he promises to do, the more I begin to expect God to do more for me. This is good, and it is what should happen when we read scripture. But this effect is also then accompanied by a feeling of tension, a tension between what I have been led to expect of God and what is actually happening in my life. If I am honest, I will admit that there is a great gulf between what God has promised and what really is the case in my life. Many people respond to this tension with a sense of awkwardness as though it is embarrassing for God. People try to resolve the tension by either making themselves believe that they already have what is promised or they make excuses for why God isn’t coming through on his Word . In the Psalms you will not find any such awkwardness. They did not seek to resolve the tension. Instead, they allowed themselves to feel it and brought it before God. In fact, they complained about it. This is what faith does. The tension that we feel between the promises of God and our real-life situations is the best condition for faith to emerge. So let God’s Word drive you to realise that there is more on offer than what you have. Let yourself feel that tension and let that awaken your faith and drive you to God in earnest prayer.
What do you want to see God do for you today?
Read Psalm 119:81-88
