The term "expectant" in a biblical context often relates to the themes of hope, anticipation, and waiting upon the promises of God. Throughout Scripture, believers are encouraged to live in a state of expectancy, trusting in God's faithfulness and His divine timing.

Biblical Expectation and Faith

Expectancy is closely tied to faith, as seen in Hebrews 11:1 : "Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." This verse underscores the idea that faith involves a confident expectation of God's promises, even when they are not yet visible. The patriarchs, prophets, and apostles lived with an expectant faith, trusting in God's promises despite their circumstances.

Expectancy in Prayer

The Bible encourages believers to approach God with expectant hearts in prayer. James 1:6 advises, "But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." This passage highlights the importance of praying with confidence and expectation, trusting that God hears and answers according to His will.

Expectancy of Christ's Return

A significant aspect of Christian expectancy is the anticipation of Christ's second coming. Believers are called to live in readiness and hope for this event. In Titus 2:13 , Paul writes, "as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." This expectancy shapes the Christian life, motivating believers to live righteously and with purpose.

Expectancy in the Old Testament

The Old Testament is replete with examples of expectant waiting. The Israelites awaited the fulfillment of God's promises, such as the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah 40:31 offers encouragement: "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint." This verse illustrates the strength and renewal that come from expectantly waiting on the Lord.

Expectancy and the Holy Spirit

In the New Testament, expectancy is also linked to the work of the Holy Spirit. Believers are encouraged to expect the Spirit's guidance, empowerment, and gifts. Acts 1:8 records Jesus' promise: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This promise was fulfilled at Pentecost, demonstrating the importance of expectant waiting for the Spirit's work.

Expectancy in Daily Life

Living expectantly involves trusting God in everyday circumstances, believing that He is actively involved in the lives of His people. Romans 8:28 assures believers, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." This verse encourages Christians to maintain an expectant outlook, confident that God is orchestrating events for their ultimate good and His glory.

In summary, the concept of being expectant in the Bible encompasses a hopeful anticipation of God's promises, a faithful approach to prayer, a readiness for Christ's return, and a trust in the Holy Spirit's work. Believers are called to live with an expectant heart, assured of God's faithfulness and His perfect timing.1. (a.) Waiting in expectation; looking for

2. (a.) waiting for the efforts of nature, with little active treatment.

3. (n.) One who waits in expectation; one held in dependence by hope of receiving some good.

2427. chil -- a writhing, anguish
... pain, pang, sorrow. And (feminine) chiylah {khee-law'}; from chuwl; a throe (expectant
of childbirth) -- pain, pang, sorrow. see HEBREW chuwl. 2426, 2427. ...
/hebrew/2427.htm - 6k

3177. Yachleel -- "wait for God," a Zebulunite
... Jahleel. From yachal and 'el; expectant of God; Jachleel, an Israelite -- Jahleel.
see HEBREW yachal. see HEBREW 'el. 3176, 3177. Yachleel. 3178 . ...
/hebrew/3177.htm - 6k

3175. yachil -- waiting
... Word Origin from yachal Definition waiting NASB Word Usage waits (1). should hope.
From yachal; expectant -- should hope. see HEBREW yachal. 3174, 3175. ...
/hebrew/3175.htm - 6k

Constant, Instant, Expectant
... Constant, Instant, Expectant. A Sermon (No.1480). Delivered on Lord's-Day Morning,
June 22nd, 1879, by. CH SPURGEON,. ... III. Our last word EXPECTANT. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/constant instant expectant.htm

Symbolism of the Church Building
... In the symbolism of the church building it represents that part of the holy Catholic
Church which is known as the "Church expectant""those who have passed ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/symbolism of the church building.htm

The Soldier's Morning-Call
... we have arrived. Now, the first thing that strikes me is that the garb
for the man expectant of the day is armour. We might have ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the soldiers morning-call.htm

Demonstration vi. --Of Monks.
... Whosoever is expectant of being caught up in the clouds, let him not make
for himself adorned chariots. Whosoever is expectant of ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration vi of monks.htm

The Pride of Amaryllis
... Now, according to prophecies, the time is of a surety ripe and the whole city is
expectant. She may have her wish.". ... "Are you expectant?" she asked. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter xiv the pride of.htm

The Secret of Immortal Youth
... in New Testament phraseology is meant by 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.' For
the notion expressed here by 'waiting' is that of expectant dependence, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the secret of immortal youth.htm

Waiting and Singing
... As He guards me, so I stand expectant before Him, as one in a besieged town, upon
the ramparts there, looks eagerly out across the plain to see the coming of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/waiting and singing.htm

The Incense of Prayer
... sacrifice? First, it is a confession of impotent emptiness, a lifting up
of expectant hands to be filled with the gift from God. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the incense of prayer.htm

The Traitors
... The Hebrew walked in the grass by the roadside and came on, his face expectant. ...
Every eye, wide and expectant, was fixed upon the Israelite. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxviii the traitors.htm

With the Entry of Angela's Great Picture "The Coming of Christ" ...
... brightly through the little panes of common glass which had been inserted to serve
as windows, he walked through a densely packed and expectant throng of poor ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxxviii with the entry of.htm

Expectant (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) One who waits in expectation; one held in dependence by hope of receiving
some good. Multi-Version Concordance Expectant (1 Occurrence). ...
/e/expectant.htm - 7k

Expect (20 Occurrences)

/e/expect.htm - 13k

Watch (203 Occurrences)
... guard; to act as sentinel. 10. (vi) To be expectant; to look with expectation;
to wait; to seek opportunity. 11. (vi) To remain awake ...
/w/watch.htm - 40k

Expectantly (6 Occurrences)

/e/expectantly.htm - 7k

Patient (34 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Expectant with calmness, or without discontent; not hasty; not
overeager; composed. 5. (a.) Forbearing; long-suffering. ...
/p/patient.htm - 16k

Premillennial
... Jesus was on His last journey to Jerusalem, and near the city. The multitude was
eager, expectant. They supposed the Kingdom of God was immediately to appear. ...
/p/premillennial.htm - 23k

Millennium
... Jesus was on His last journey to Jerusalem, and near the city. The multitude was
eager, expectant. They supposed the Kingdom of God was immediately to appear. ...
/m/millennium.htm - 24k

Parousia
... belonged to the preliminary acts, viewed perhaps somewhat as Enoch 39:6 views the
preexistent Messiah's residence among the "church expectant." This could come ...
/p/parousia.htm - 36k

John (154 Occurrences)
... But while he announced himself as the herald voice preparing the way of the Lord,
and because of this the expectant multitudes crowded to hear his word, his ...
/j/john.htm - 101k

Woman (4043 Occurrences)
... To her poetic inspiration, spiritual fervor and exalted thankfulness as expectant
mother of the Messiah, the church universal is indebted for its earliest and ...
/w/woman.htm - 45k

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