Early one morning I heard an announcer from a pharmaceutical company share the following on the latest wonder drug: “Go from expecting less to experiencing more.” Here is a three-fold prescription to go from expecting less to experiencing more in 2024.

Go from expecting less to experiencing more by finding out about the will of the Lord. Ephesians 5:17 reads, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” There is to be reliance on a promise. Proverbs 3:5-6 reads, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” There is to be reassurance from a principle. Deuteronomy 29:29 reads, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Some things are concealed, and some things are revealed. Remember you can understand the will of the Lord from the Bible.

Go from expecting less to experiencing more by facing up to the ways of the Lord. Note the urgency of Isaiah 55:6, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.” There must be repenting toward the Lord. “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts” (Isaiah 55:7a). There must be returning to the Lord. “Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7b). Isaiah further explains, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Remember “the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them” (Hosea 14:9b).

Go from expecting less to experiencing more by following through in the work of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 may be “the most direct statement of the eternal value of earthly work in all of Scripture.” There will be a review of your work. “Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is” (1 Corinthians 3:12-13). There will be a reward for your work. “If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:14-15). Remember “the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58 and 16:10) endures into eternity.

May you go from expecting less to experiencing more.

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.