Expectations vs. Reality: Embracing God's Surprising Ways

Devotional

Day 1: God Fulfills His Promises in Unexpected Ways

God often answers our prayers and fulfills His promises in ways that surprise us, challenging our expectations and inviting us to trust His wisdom over our own plans. Sometimes, what we perceive as disappointments or detours are actually the means by which God brings about something more beautiful and memorable than we could have imagined. When our carefully laid plans unravel, we are reminded that God’s love and faithfulness are not limited by our understanding, and His timing is always perfect, even if it looks different from what we hoped for. [36:57]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares 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.”

Reflection: Think of a time when your plans didn’t work out as you expected. How did God show up in a way that surprised you, and what did you learn about His character through that experience?

Day 2: True Freedom Comes Through Christ, Not Human Power

The crowds in Jerusalem expected Jesus to bring political liberation, waving palm branches as a symbol of nationalistic hope, but Jesus offered a deeper freedom—one that transcends earthly oppression and addresses the true needs of the human heart. While people often look for deliverance through force, control, or visible power, Jesus redefines freedom as something found in Him, not in circumstances or rulers. This freedom is not just from external oppression but from sin, fear, and the need to control outcomes, inviting us to trust in the liberating work of Christ. [41:21]

John 12:12-13 (ESV)
“The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’”

Reflection: In what area of your life are you seeking freedom through your own strength or solutions, and how can you invite Jesus to bring His true freedom there today?

Day 3: Jesus’ Kingdom Advances Through Humility, Not Show

Jesus’ choice to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey, rather than a war horse, was a deliberate act of humility, signaling that His kingdom is not about dominance or spectacle but about peace, accessibility, and servanthood. The world often values power, impressiveness, and outward success, but Jesus models a different way—one that is gentle, approachable, and open to all. His victory comes not through force but through sacrificial love, and He invites us to follow Him in choosing substance over show, humility over pride, and peace over conflict. [50:22]

Zechariah 9:9 (ESV)
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to seek recognition or outward success? How can you intentionally choose humility and substance in that area this week?

Day 4: Faithful Obedience Is God’s Measure of Success

God’s definition of success is not based on numbers, wealth, or outward impressiveness, but on faithful obedience, sacrificial love, and a willingness to let go of control. True growth in God’s kingdom often happens quietly—through daily habits, honest conversations, and welcoming others one at a time. As we surrender our own metrics and expectations, we are invited to trust that God is at work in the ordinary and the humble, forming Christlike character and multiplying His grace through our faithfulness. [55:27]

1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV)
“And Samuel said, ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.’”

Reflection: What is one area where you have been measuring success by visible results? How can you shift your focus to faithful obedience, even if it goes unnoticed by others?

Day 5: Passing On Faith Through Everyday Life

Raising the next generation in faith is not about grand gestures but about consistently impressing God’s love and commands on their hearts through daily life—at home, on the road, in conversations, and in community. Every believer is called to nurture faith in others, whether in their own family or within the church, by modeling love for God and sharing life together. This calling is both a privilege and a responsibility, reminding us that spiritual formation happens in the ordinary rhythms of life as we point others to Jesus. [01:01:30]

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (ESV)
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

Reflection: Who is someone in your life—child, friend, or newcomer—you can intentionally encourage in faith this week through a simple act or conversation?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the tension between our expectations and God’s surprising reality, as seen in Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The crowd anticipated a triumphant, conquering king who would overthrow Roman oppression, waving palm branches as a symbol of political hope and national liberation. Yet, Jesus subverted these expectations by choosing to ride a humble donkey, signaling a kingdom built not on force or spectacle, but on humility, peace, and accessibility. This act fulfilled ancient prophecy, but in a way that challenged the crowd’s assumptions about what true victory and deliverance look like.

We are reminded that God’s promises are always fulfilled, but rarely in the ways we imagine. Like the crowd, we may have the right theology but the wrong application—expecting God to act according to our plans, our timelines, and our definitions of success. Jesus’ choice of a donkey over a war horse invites us to reconsider what it means to follow him: to embrace humility over pride, substance over show, and faithfulness over visible results. The real work of God often happens in the quiet, ordinary moments—through small acts of welcome, discipleship, and sacrificial love—rather than in dramatic displays.

As a church, we are called to measure success not by numbers, buildings, or outward impressiveness, but by our willingness to be faithful, to welcome the outsider, and to let go of our own expectations in favor of God’s purposes. This may mean embracing transitions, letting go of comfort, and trusting that God’s way—though often unexpected—is always good. The challenge is to surrender our plans, to trust God’s timing, and to recognize his kingdom advancing in the humble and the ordinary.

Today also included a special moment of baby dedication, reminding us that faith is nurtured in community, and that each generation is called to walk in God’s ways, supported by the love and prayers of the church family. As we move forward, may we be a people who choose the way of the donkey: humble, accessible, and open to God’s surprising work among us.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Promises Are Fulfilled in Unexpected Ways We often approach God with detailed plans and expectations, assuming that his faithfulness will look like our version of success. Yet, God delights in fulfilling his promises in ways that surprise us, inviting us to trust his wisdom over our own. The journey of faith requires us to surrender our need for control and to remain open to the unexpected beauty of God’s timing and methods. [36:57]
2. True Victory Is Marked by Humility, Not Power Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, rather than a war horse, redefines what victory looks like in God’s kingdom. While the world equates triumph with dominance and spectacle, Jesus models a way of peace, gentleness, and accessibility. This challenges us to pursue humility and service, trusting that God’s power is made perfect in weakness. [47:45]
3. Faithfulness Over Visible Results In a culture obsessed with numbers and outward success, God calls us to measure our lives and ministries by faithful obedience. Real transformation often happens in the quiet, unseen moments—through consistent prayer, honest conversations, and small acts of love. God values substance over show, and invites us to invest in what lasts, even when it goes unnoticed by the world. [55:27]
4. Welcoming the Outsider Reflects the Heart of Christ Jesus’ choice of a donkey—a humble, accessible animal—signals that his kingdom is open to all, not just the elite or the impressive. As a community, we are called to be a place of grace, where people from every background can belong without fear or intimidation. Our success is measured by how well we welcome, disciple, and love those whom God brings to us, one at a time. [56:24]
5. Surrendering Expectations Is the Path to Spiritual Growth The disciples and the crowd celebrated Jesus without fully understanding his mission; sometimes, we too must walk in faith before we see the full picture. Spiritual maturity involves letting go of our preferred outcomes and trusting God’s process, even when it looks nothing like what we expected. In surrender, we find peace, and in following Jesus’ humble way, we discover the true nature of his kingdom. [58:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:46] - Introduction: John 12 and Extravagant Faith
[34:41] - Personal Story: Expectations vs. Reality
[36:30] - When Plans Change: God’s Surprising Ways
[37:12] - Setting the Scene: Passover and Messianic Hopes
[39:36] - Palm Branches: Political Symbolism and Misplaced Expectations
[42:23] - Hosanna: The Crowd’s Cry and Psalm 118
[44:19] - The Danger of Right Theology, Wrong Application
[46:04] - Jesus Chooses the Donkey: A Different Kind of King
[48:05] - Zechariah’s Prophecy and the Meaning of the Donkey
[50:22] - Humility and Accessibility in God’s Kingdom
[51:37] - God’s Way: Humility, Service, and Sacrifice
[53:26] - Real Change: The Power of the Ordinary
[55:27] - Rethinking Success: Faithfulness Over Numbers
[57:36] - Two Action Steps for the Week
[59:39] - Closing Prayer
[60:09] - Baby Dedication Ceremony
[68:15] - Invitation to Fellowship and Closing Song
[69:27] - Final Blessing and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 12:12-19 (ESV) — > The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,
>
> “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”
>
> His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

Zechariah 9:9 (ESV) — > Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (ESV) — > “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

Observation Questions

What did the crowd expect Jesus to do as he entered Jerusalem, and what symbols did they use to express these expectations? (John 12:12-13) [[39:36]]
How did Jesus’ choice of transportation into Jerusalem differ from what the crowd might have anticipated, and what Old Testament prophecy did this fulfill? (John 12:14-15, Zechariah 9:9) [[46:24]]
According to the sermon, what was the significance of the palm branches and the crowd’s cry of “Hosanna”? [[42:23]]
In the baby dedication, what does Deuteronomy 6 say about the role of community and family in nurturing faith? [[01:01:30]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus deliberately chose a donkey instead of a war horse for his entry into Jerusalem? What message was he sending to the crowd and to us? [[47:45]]
The crowd had “the right theology but the wrong application.” In what ways can believers today have correct beliefs about God but misunderstand how God works in their lives? [[44:50]]
The sermon says that God’s promises are always fulfilled, but rarely in the ways we imagine. How does this challenge our own expectations of how God should act? [[36:57]]
What does it mean for a church to measure success by faithfulness and welcome, rather than by numbers or outward impressiveness? [[55:27]]

Application Questions

Think of a time when you expected God to answer a prayer in a specific way, but the outcome was different. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [[36:57]]
The crowd wanted a conquering king, but Jesus came in humility. Are there areas in your life where you are seeking power, recognition, or control, rather than choosing the way of humility and service? What would it look like to “choose the donkey” this week? [[52:50]]
The sermon challenges us to surrender our expectations and trust God’s timing. Is there a specific area in your life where you need to let go of your plans and trust God’s process? What is one step you can take to do this? [[58:01]]
In what practical ways can you help make our church a place where outsiders feel welcomed and included, regardless of their background or story? [[56:24]]
The real work of God often happens in the quiet, ordinary moments. What is one “small act” of faithfulness, welcome, or love you can commit to this week—either at church, at home, or in your community? [[53:26]]
The baby dedication reminded us that faith is nurtured in community. How can you support the faith journey of the next generation—whether in your family, among friends, or in the church? [[01:01:30]]
The sermon mentioned two action steps: sharing a story of God’s unexpected timing, and identifying an area to surrender expectations. Which of these will you try this week, and who can you share it with for encouragement and accountability? [[57:36]]

Sermon Clips

In ancient times, your mode of transport communicated your intentions. Roman generals and conquering kings would ride in on a war horse in a triumphal procession after military victories, right? They would come in on a war horse. But donkeys were different. They were often used in times of peace, like they travel, you would travel on a donkey during peace times. And so with Jesus choosing a donkey, he was actually signaling that he did not come to wage war against the Romans, but to come in peace. [00:47:04] (54 seconds) #PeacefulKingdomSignal

A war horse is intimidating. It's expensive. It's huge. And it's exclusive. And it's meant to be threatening. But a donkey, a donkey is humble, right? It's a working animal. And I think Jesus is showing his humility by riding on a donkey's colt. A donkey is gentle. It's approachable. And just like Jesus, he didn't come to intimidate. But actually, Jesus invites us to be with him. [00:49:59] (34 seconds) #HumbleStrengthInGentleness

His victory was through dying, not through killing. His victory was through absorbing evil and not inflicting evil onto others. And I want to remind you that God keeps his promises. But it often doesn't look like what we imagine. [00:52:20] (21 seconds) #PromiseKeptInUnexpectedWays

It might look like this. Gathering in life groups and one on one discipleship. It might look like an encouraging word to someone or being a faithful presence where character is formed and where lives are transformed through daily habits of prayer and time in God's word. [00:53:26] (20 seconds) #FaithfulPresenceMatters

For us as a congregation, it might not look like flashy programs or a celebrity pastor or even a sparkling new building. But it could look like this. That every person who walks through the doors of this place or who connects with us online, they are being welcomed one at a time. [00:53:47] (21 seconds) #SuccessMeasuredByObedience

Are we willing to let things die? Control the familiar methods or our comfortable patterns instead of just counting bums on seats or, you know, looking at that? It could mean sacrificial love over self-protection, right? We remember that Mary poured out her life savings for Jesus, that Lazarus faced death threats but continued to testify that Jesus chose the cross. [00:55:39] (29 seconds) #HealingThroughDiscipleship

It might look like accessibility over impressiveness, right? Jesus rode a donkey, not a war horse. What if success looked like people from all walks of life, international students, unchurched people, broken people, that they can come and be part of this community without feeling intimidated, without feeling like God will strike them, without feeling like God will bring them down if they walk through the doors of this church? [00:56:21] (24 seconds) #ObedienceOverPopularity

What if we become a place of grace? What if success looks like hearing and responding to God's voice over popular opinion? What is God saying about who we are and what we are called to? [00:56:49] (16 seconds) #MultiplicationThroughSacrifice

The disciples celebrated Jesus' entrance but didn't understand what they were celebrating. And next week we'll actually discover the moment when everything finally made sense. Because sometimes you have to walk the path before you even understand the destination. [00:58:09] (20 seconds)

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