Where Are Your Expectations Rooted?

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. – Ephesians 3:20

I read a quote the other day by Matthew Henry that stopped me in my tracks. Here’s what it said:

“Those who love the world have great vexation, for it does not answer what they expect; those who love God’s Word have great peace, for it outdoes what they expect.”

Now, I realize that sounds like something you’d read in lit class, so let’s break it down.

For starters, I had to look up the definition of “vexation,” so don’t feel bad if you didn’t know what that meant. But “vexation” is defined as the state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried.

So in the first half of his statement, Mr. Henry is saying that when we love the things of the world – when we focus on them, idolize them, run to them, and depend on them – we’re going to be left in a state of either annoyance, frustration, or worry. What this world has to offer will never measure up. It will never meet the needs or desires that are rooted deep within us. That’s what he meant when he said “it [the world] does not answer what they expect.”

Basically, nothing in this physical world will ever meet our expectations. Not our friends, family members, spouses, significant others, jobs, hobbies, possessions…none of it will ever answer what we expect.

On the other hand, Mr. Henry continues, saying that those who love God’s Word have great peace. Why? Because the Word of God outdoes what we expect. God exceeds our expectations. This reminds me of my favorite verse in Scripture, Ephesians 3:20, which says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

Take note of that phrase “immeasurably more.” That’s a fancy way of saying that you could never measure, comprehend, or dream up the ways that God is going to exceed your expectations when you follow Him and align your heart with His. And when we truly believe that and take hold of that promise, we’ll feel the peace Matthew Henry was talking about.

So with all of this in mind? What is your love focused on right now? Is it the world? Or is it God and His Word? What are you rooting your expectations in? If it’s anything but Jesus, I can promise you that, eventually, you’re going to be disappointed. But if we can learn to root our expectations in Christ, I think we’ll be amazed at how He does immeasurably more in and through us.