The Lord has used this verse to challenge me time and time again over the years. Here, the psalmist pleads in effect, “Lord, pour out Your favor and blessings upon me to the degree that my hope is in You and Your promises, and I am expecting their fulfillment.” One Bible commentator called this posture of faith “believing expectation.”

The key phrase in this verse is “in proportion to.” It reveals that if we expect little from the Lord, we may have to settle for receiving little from Him. On the other hand, if we have great expectations, we are likely to have our needs and desires fulfilled – and then some.

In Chapter 9 of the Gospel of Matthew, when two blind men cry out to Jesus for mercy and healing, Jesus pointedly asks them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” When the men answer, “Yes, Lord,” the Savior declares, “According to your faith will it be done to you.” (v. 28-29 NIV) Jesus makes it clear in this passage that our level of expectation can affect our outcome.

A favorite verse of mine in Hosea 12:6 (TLB) reads: “Live by the principles of love and justice, and always be expecting much from Him, your God.” Hallelujah! Are your expectations limiting God’s involvement in your life today?

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times that I have doubted You and Your desire to work mightily on my behalf. Help me to cooperate with You to increase my faith and confidence in You and Your promises. Remind me to feed on Your Word on a regular, consistent basis. Thank You that as I call upon You with “believing expectation,” You will do “exceedingly abundantly” above all I ask or imagine! (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV)