Unmet Expectations
Unmet expectations can cause angst.
My son has autism. When life does not go as he expects, the closest object can become a projectile and his body shakes as he sobs.
His therapist stated, “Michael is already at the playground sliding down the slide in his mind, his expectation becomes a reality to him before the activity occurs.”
My heart broke for my son. I understood.
I’ve visualized situations playing out in my head, only to have my hope dashed against the rocks of disappointment.
With help from his therapist and scripture, Michael and I realized the difference between reality and expectation.
Reality always trumps human expectation.
In the Bible, the word expectation is interchangeable with the word hope.
Hope is not wishing, it is a quiet confidence in knowing.
I researched the Bible for the word expect.
Holy Ghost goosebumps appeared when I found the word in the least likely place…
Rahab the prostitute had wonderful expectations after she met the spies in Jericho (Joshua 2).
The spies made a promise to her. They would rescue her only if the red chord remained in the window upon their return.
Her situation did not immediately change when they left. Local men and visitors probably still wanted her services. She waited at least three weeks but kept her focus on the chord.
The word for chord here in Joshua is Tiqvah.
My son has named one of his stuffed animals Tiqvah.
Blue letter Bible has another meaning for it besides chord- hope, an expectation
Nowhere else in the bible is Tiqvah used for chord or rope.
God is so good to use the word expectation and chord together. Rahab’s expectations were not dashed against a rock or torn down when the walls around her fell at her rescue. Her expectation became reality.
Rahab stated in Joshua 2: 9 &11
“I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”
Her story continues in Matthew 1:5-6. “Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.”
Jesus was in the lineage of King David.
A prostitute was in the lineage of Jesus, not what I would expect.
Rahab looked to God for her hope, not the actions of people or situations.
I want to learn from her.
How about you?
What do you put your hope in?
Join the conversation.
