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Waiting in Expectation

Beatrice Klassen


Webster defines “hope” as “desire with expectation of obtaining what is desired”. David understood about hope when he wrote “Morning by morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; morning by morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation” (Psalm 5:3).

Waiting is very hard for some people. It is something I have never done well. I am an action person, wanting to take charge and make things happen. When we have to wait a long time for something, we can easily become frustrated. We may even lose hope – that sense of expectancy that God is going to do something. But God has taught me many things through waiting. I have seen many a sunrise waiting for an errant child to return home.

Through all the waiting times in my life, when things seemed totally without hope, I have been drawn again and again to Hebrews 11. I used to think it a very depressing passage. All those people died without seeing their desires come to pass: “None of them received what had been promised” (11:39). It seemed that God had failed them. But for those of us who know the rest of the story, it is really a chapter of tremendous encouragement. That same Scripture continues with these incredible words: “God had planned something better” (11:40). God did indeed keep His promise to send the Redeemer. It was not in their lifetime, but that wasn’t the point. In God’s perfect time, it happened. Their hope was not misplaced.

In the first three chapters of the Old Testament book of Lamentations, Jeremiah expresses deep anguish over the suffering of his people. Then, in the midst of darkness, he lights a match. In Lamentations 3:21, he says, “I have hope.” He proceeds to explain why: “The LORD’s . . . compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. . . . The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him” (Lamentations 3:22-25). He sums up in verse 26: “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” Wait? Maybe. But quietly? Without impatience? Without complaint and anger? Waiting God’s way requires a contentment of spirit, a surrendered heart and an expectation that God is at work.

Many years later, two sisters waited for Jesus to come and heal their beloved brother. As he breathed his final breath, the sisters grieved. All hope for healing was gone. Yet, in God’s perfect time, the one that the grave had claimed was restored to them (John 11).

Not many months after, Jesus’ disciples grieved as He was laid in a tomb. For three days, they grieved, thinking all was ended. But while they waited, not seeing anything happen, God was at work behind the scenes to accomplish His purpose – not just for the disciples, not even just for the children of Israel, but for all humanity for all time.

How often I have been driven to the truth that even when I am in the midst of suffering, even though I may not see anything happening, God is still at work behind the scenes to accomplish His will in my life. The prayers that seem to have gone unanswered will be answered in God’s way and in His time. Like the saints of old, it may not be in my lifetime, but no matter; He will answer.

Hope placed in the Lord is never misplaced and will never be disappointed. “Blessed is he . . . whose hope is in the LORD” (Psalm 146:5). “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).


Beatrice Klassen is a counsellor and writer from Niagara Falls, Ont.

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Last modified June 27, 2000.

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