Expecting (Part 2)

INTRODUCTION: LIVING IN THE UNKNOWN

Have you ever felt like you’re standing at a crossroads, unsure of what’s next? Maybe it’s a decision you have to make, a relationship, your future, or just wondering what God wants from you right now.

The truth is, most of life is lived in the unknown. But the good news is… God doesn’t ask us to figure it out alone.

The Bible shows us over and over again that when God calls His people forward, He doesn’t just send them, He goes with them. And when He goes with them, He does two things consistently:

He guides them

He provides for them

Tonight, we’re going to talk about what it looks like to expect God in both of those ways.

1. EXPECT GOD’S GUIDANCE

Are you in a season where you don’t really know what’s next? You’re trying to follow God, but the future feels unclear. It could be to do with planning, or it could be to do with navigating your way out of a difficult circumstance.

That’s exactly where the Israelites were after God freed them from slavery in Egypt.

They didn’t have a map. They didn’t know the route. But they weren’t wandering.

Exodus 13:21–22 NLT

The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.

Video

God didn’t just give them direction, He went before them. When the cloud moved, they moved. When it stopped, they stopped.

God was saying, “Follow Me. I’m with you.”

But then something happened that didn’t make sense.

God’s guidance led them straight to the Red Sea.

In front of them was water. Behind them was Pharaoh’s army, coming to take them back into slavery.

They panicked. They doubted. They thought God had led them into a trap.

And that’s when Moses spoke faith into their fear.

Exodus 14:14 NLT

The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

God didn’t stop guiding them when things got scary. He didn’t abandon them at the obstacle.

He made a way where there was no way.

He parted the sea and led His people straight through the impossible.

And that’s still how God works today.

God may not guide us with a cloud or fire, but He still leads us through:

His Word

His Spirit

His peace

and sometimes a clear “yes” or a quiet “no”

When we expect God to guide us, and trust Him enough to follow… we’ll realize something powerful:

He’s already leading, even when we can’t see the whole path.

TRANSITION: GUIDANCE REQUIRES TRUST

Trust Exercise

But here’s the reality: It’s hard to follow God if we don’t trust Him.

And one of the biggest reasons we struggle to trust Him is fear:

What if I don’t have enough?

What if this doesn’t work out?

What if God doesn’t come through?

That leads us to the second truth we have to expect from God.

2. EXPECT GOD’S PROVISION

John 6:1–13 NLT

After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.

Feeding 5000 Video

From beginning to end, the Bible shows us a God who provides.

Manna in the wilderness

Water from a rock

Oil that never ran out

And ultimately, salvation through Jesus

Provision isn’t something God does occasionally, it’s part of who He is.

Who here has heard the story of Abraham and Isaac? When God provided a ram in the thicket, Abraham referred to God as “Jehova Jireh.” Who knows what that means? God our provider! Its simply who God is!

In John 6, thousands of people gathered to hear Jesus teach. When it got late, the people were hungry.

There was no logical way to feed that many people.

All they had was a boy’s lunch:

five loaves

two fish

It didn’t look like enough.

But the miracle didn’t start with food, it started with faith.

The boy gave what little he had. Jesus took it, thanked God, and multiplied it.

John 6:11 NLT

Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.

And not only was it enough, there were twelve baskets left over.

That’s what God’s provision looks like:

intentional

perfectly timed

abundant

and better than we could plan ourselves

God didn’t ask for what they didn’t have, He asked for what they were willing to give.

And when we bring our limited:

time

energy

resources

obedience

or faith

God multiplies it in ways we never could.

BRINGING IT TOGETHER: GOD GUIDES AND GOD PROVIDES

Here’s the connection:

God guides us where to go

God provides what we need when we get there

The Israelites needed guidance, and God led them. They needed deliverance, and God made a way.

The crowd needed food, and God multiplied what was given.

And as we prepare for conference and everything God has ahead, this is the posture we need:

Expectation.

Expectation that:

God is already at work

God will guide every step

God will provide everything needed

Not always what we want—but always what’s best.

CLOSING CHALLENGE

So tonight, let’s pray with expectant hearts:

“God, I trust You to lead me, even when I can’t see the whole path. I trust You to provide, even when what I have feels small. Help me follow You step by step.”

Because when we expect God to guide us and provide for us, we’ll start realizing:

He already is.

Come hungry. Come expectant. God is going to move.