Richard Roberts – First of two parts
If you’re like me, I’m sure there are areas of your life where you would like to step to a new level of faith in your walk with God. To do that requires us to lift our expectations! The book of Isaiah shows us seven ways we can lift our expectations to reach a new level in our faith.
Step 1) Expect the Lord to raise up a standard against your enemies. Isaiah 59:19 says, When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. You don’t have to sit around wondering how you’re going to defeat your enemies, because you’re not the one who’s going to do it. Ephesians 6 says you don’t wrestle against flesh and blood. When you put on God’s armor, you can expect Him to raise up a standard against your enemies.
Step 2) Expect fear, worry, and oppression to be broken off of you. There’s a lot of fear, a lot of worry, and a lot of oppression in the world today, but the Lord is saying, “Rise up on the inside!” Isaiah 60:1 says, Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. When God’s glory is on you, fear, worry, and oppression have to go!
Step 3) Expect God’s presence to rest upon you. Isaiah 60:2 says, For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people, But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. We are designed to live in God’s presence. We can do that by surrendering everything we are unto everything He is.
Step 4) Expect a new vision. Isaiah 60:4 says, Lift up your eyes all around, and see. That tells me that you can’t have a new vision when your head is down, so look up to God and let Him give you a new vision!