When Paul writes these words to Philemon, he is behind prison bars, not the most pleasant place to be for a mighty man of God. For sure he must have felt limited or down at times, he didn't even have a TV, newspaper or anything else to entertain him there. But this statement that he makes here is quite amazing. Although his circumstances are not looking very positive, he puts faith into the prayers of his fellow brothers and sisters, and he hopes and expects to be released as the answer to their prayers. So, he asks them to prepare a guest room for when he is going to come. There is no place for "in case God doesn't move, what are we going to do then..."
Faith doesn't have power if it's focused on chance, or on people, or feelings. But it is amazingly powerful when it's invested in God who created heaven and earth. And it becomes even more powerful if we are putting action and expectancy into it. We are doing our part, we are taking the first step, because we are expecting God to move and answer our prayers, and the prayers of others. This doesn't mean that we are trying to make things happen ourselves. But it shows God that we are counting on him, not just with our words or thoughts, but with our whole being. And it releases God to respond to our trust, and to move in power.
Where does your faith need some expectancy added to it?
