2026 Pastors' Blog

Great Expectations

January 1, 2026

"I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”

Psalm 40:1

As I have talked to people about the start of this new year, there tend to be two mindsets:

2026 is just going to be an extension of what I experienced in 2025. Or…
2026 is going to be different (usually meaning better) from 2025.

Do you notice something that those two philosophies have in common? Both mindsets are based on the person’s experiences – or anticipated experiences? In other words, “How I view this coming year will be determined by whether or not my experiences in 2026 are positive or negative.”

Looking ahead to this new year, I would like to challenge you to a different philosophy – a mindset that is not shaped by your circumstances, but rather formed by your understanding of God, as He reveals Himself in Scripture.

Even though Psalms 38 and 39 had been expressions of frustration with the circumstances in which David found himself, he kept coming back to a state of confident assurance – a place of peace. Psalm 40 gives us a glimpse into how that was possible.

An Approach with Anticipation (“I waited patiently for the LORD;…”) – How do you approach prayer – with anticipation of what God can and will do or anxiety over the situation? David opens this Psalm with an expression of great expectations because the One to Whom he prayed was the great God (“LORD” = Jehovah; The self-existent One; The eternal One). Our approach in prayer is built on our perception of God. Yet, how often do we allow our perception of God to, instead, be shaped by our circumstances. Matthew Henry described David’s patient waiting this way: “From God he expected relief, and he was big with expectation, not doubting but it would come in due time…he waited patiently, which intimates that the relief did not come quickly; yet he doubted not but it would come, and resolved to continue believing, and hoping, and praying, till it did come. Those whose expectation is from God may wait with assurance, but must wait with patience.”

David approached with anticipation because he worshipped…

An Attentive God (“…and he inclined unto me,…”) – How many conversations have you ever tried to carry on with a small child? They do not always understand the need to project. So, when they are hesitant to share their needs with an adult, they tend to keep their volume at a whisper. If you want to hear what they have to say, you usually need to lean over and “incline” one ear toward them. The simple act of leaning in shows the interest you have in what the child has to say. David paints a vivid picture for us of God leaning in to catch every word when we pray. We can be assured that He has an interest in what we have to say.

Even with good intentions and dedicated listening, we do not always catch what someone else has to say. God is not just an attentive God. He is also…

An Omniscient God (“…and heard my cry.”) – One of the many awe-inspiring things about God is that He not only desires to hear what I have to say, but, in His omniscience, He hears my every word and knows my every need, perfectly. So, I can be assured that the answer He will ultimately provide is precisely what is needed – whether it fits my plans or not – because He has the larger picture always in view.

Let me close this post by challenging you in two ways: (1) This Psalm can be such an encouragement, if we will allow its words to flow over our spirit and dominate our thinking. Would you join me in memorizing Psalm 40, in the weeks ahead? (2) As we get rolling into 2026, no matter what may happen this year, would you join me in committing to intentionally looking for God’s hand at work in our lives and seeking God’s face in all things – good and bad?

I am trusting and praying that we will see God’s mighty hand at work in our lives and in our world in 2026.

Pastor Dan