Sun Stand Still Devotional / Day 5 by Steven Furtick

Steven Furtick: Sun Stand Still Devotional

Expect the Best I was having a conversation with someone, and at one point he pulled out the classic saying, "“Expect the worst and hope for the best." I know the heart behind this phrase. I know it means we should prepare contingencies in case our plans fail. But still, I find it to be a horrible saying. The problem is that it misunderstands the nature of expectation. Expectation is a form of faith. Your expectation is the belief that what you'’re hoping for is actually going to happen, not your back up plan to take care of yourself in case it doesn'’t. You can'’t hope for God'’s best if you’'re believing in the worst. You can’'t hope to get the job you desperately need if you'’re expecting to get turned down. You can’'t hope that God is going to restore your marriage if you’'re expecting to sign divorce papers any day now. What would Peter have done that day out on the Sea of Galilee if he had expected the worst and hoped for the best? Well, his name means "“Rock,"” and I suppose he would have expected to sink like one. This terrible expectation would have been offset at best by a hope that Jesus would grab his arm and pull him back to the surface before he drowned. But that’'s not what is going through Peter’'s mind. Peter - —at least at first— - expects the best. Since Jesus calls him out of the boat, well, then Peter apparently thinks he will be able to go to Him walking on the waves. Now, it’'s true that in just a moment his fear will get the better of him. His faith will cease holding him up, and he will earn a rebuke from the Lord because of it. But let’'s give him his props. At least for a little while, he really believes he can walk on water - —and he does it. How many of us have such a strong expectation of the best that we are prepared to lower ourselves over the side of the boat and place the ball of our foot onto the uncertainty of water? Jesus is calling you today. “"Come to Me,"” He says. “"Come toward the future I have for you.”" And so expect the best. Hope for the best. Accept what God allows. And give Him the glory. Matthew 14:22-31 Matthew 14:22-31 KJV 22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?