September 13, 2025

Hopeful Expectation: Learning from Jesus’ Obedience

He didn’t have a ‘hopeful expectation.’ BECAUSE HE'S GOD, AND HE DIDN’T NEED ONE.

We, as human creation, are not God. We are limited, fallible, and often rely on hope to keep moving forward. For us, what encourages perseverance and faith is a hopeful expectation — a confidence that even though we can’t see the whole picture, God’s Word reassures You:

  • 📖 He does care and act on Your behalf. (Psalm 145:18; 1 Peter 5:7)
  • 📖 He is good, faithful, just, and right — He is God. (Psalm 145:17; Numbers 23:19)
  • 📖 He knows better than You. (Isaiah 55:8–9; Proverbs 19:21) His ways are above Your ways.
  • 📖 You don’t need to control everything — false safety and understanding are illusions. (Proverbs 3:5–6)
  • 📖 You can pray and trust that God, in His full power and perfection, will bring the best outcome. (Romans 8:28; Exodus 14:14)

“When Jesus obeyed the Father's will, to the point of death, He did so without a 'hopeful expectation' but with the certainty of what His death would mean for eternity and His children. He is God, all knowing, all sovereign, all powerful—so Jesus, being God, KNEW this was the way we would be saved and that it was the ONLY WAY. He didn’t have a ‘hopeful expectation.’ He literally became our reason for hopeful expectation — He became our hopeful expectation.” (Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 12:2; John 14:6)

“How You meet and encounter Jesus and the Holy Spirit is UNLIMITED and up to God. He could reach You on a bathroom floor (Psalm 34:18), a grad stage (Proverbs 16:9), or a hospital bed (2 Corinthians 12:9). But ONCE You encounter Him, You can't remain unchanged (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Note: A true saving encounter with Christ always transforms a person. A momentary conviction without surrender may bring awareness, but true change requires yielding to His Spirit (Acts 7:51).

Change is the Fruit, Not the Proof

“Change is not the proof that You're saved; change is the fruit that You're saved.”

  • 📖 Matthew 7:16–20 – “By their fruit You will recognize them.”
  • 📖 1 John 2:3–4 – “We know that we have come to know Him if We keep His commands. Whoever says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not do what He commands is a liar…”
  • 📖 Romans 8:16 – “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

Prayer 🙏

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for never letting go of us and for loving us exactly as we are, no matter where we are. Help us to fully surrender our hearts to You, trusting that Your ways are higher than ours and that Your plans are perfect, even when we don’t see the whole picture. Teach us to walk in obedience like Jesus did, leaning on Your wisdom instead of our own understanding.

Fill us with the Holy Spirit so that our lives overflow with fruit that glorifies You. Strengthen our faith to hope boldly, even when life feels uncertain, knowing that You are good, faithful, and always just.

Meet us in every moment, Lord — whether we’re on a bathroom floor, a grad stage, or a hospital bed — and let each encounter change us from the inside out.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Theo is so cute sleeping in front of me right now while my other little ones are spending quality time with Dad on this rainy day out and about, eating good food and giving Mommy time to WRITE. Time is a parent's CURRENCY AND LOVE LANGUAGE lol.

Tiffany Dangov 🦅