Great Expectations

God has promised amazing blessings to those that meet his expectations.

July 19, 2017

Are you concerned about the future?

Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you. -- Joshua 3:5

Are you troubled by character flaws or chronic weaknesses?

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. -- Ether 12:27

Would you like to know the truth and gain wisdom?

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. -- James 1:5-6

Are you concerned for the thousands around you that don't yet know the truth?

Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance. -- Alma 26:22

Do you wonder what it might it be like to be an instrument in God's hands to work miracles to benefit those around you?

And now it came to pass that according to our record, and we know our record to be true, for behold, it was a just man who did keep the record—for he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity... -- 3 Nephi 8:1

Might I interest you in the personal ministring of angels?

For behold, [angels] are subject unto [God], to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness. -- Moroni 7:30

Have you thought about one day meeting God?

Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am; -- D&C 93:1

Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will. -- D&C 88:68

Each of the scriptures above represent promises that God will keep for any that meet the associated conditions. Lest we think that these promises are reserved for a select few, Nephi's clarifying confidence in God's expectations of his children serves as helpful correction:

I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

So, what are we waiting for?

Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! -- D&C 128:22

-Michael Whatcott