Does Expectation come after Hope in God? - Comments please!

Andrew Murray's "Waiting on God" (Day #26) - In Holy Expectation.

Micah 7:7 - But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.

Andrew Murray:

"When we have special petitions, in connection with which we are waiting on God, our waiting must be very definitely in the confident assurance:  "My God will hear me."  A holy, joyful expectancy is of the very essence of true waiting."

I must confess, I have little of this expectation, this joyful hope.  I fully believe in my Sovereign God.  I can wrap my mind around hope, but expectation seems to allude me.

As I contemplate this shortfall, I wonder if perhaps I project my natural father presumptions upon God?  I wonder if the melancholy that accompanies my great challenges, and subsequent prayers, are the by-product of my lack of joy-filled expectancy?

I wonder, how does one go from hope to joy-filled expectancy?  Wouldn't it be wonderful to face every adversity with the glee of a child going to Disneyland?  Is that a ridiculous thought?

Yet, if we truly understood, and believed God is who he says he is, wouldn't we possess this kind of faith?

So how do we possess this holy expectation? 

I have struggled in these past 25 days as I learn to wait.  I have grown, I really have, but expectation has stopped me dead in my tracks.

Andrew Murray:

"God himself must work it.  And for this end, our working must cease.  We must see how entirely it is to be the faith of the operation of God who raised Jesus from the dead - just as much as the resurrection, the perfection of God's life in our souls is to be directly His work."

Once again, I learn that my ever exhausting, self work is useless.  This constant "go-getter" attitude is a blessing, and a curse.  I have greatly learned that hard work, integrity, and persistence will take me far, but some things are completely out of my power.  I can try, and try, and try to no avail.

Once again, it is clear that I need more heart surgery, from the Great Heart Surgeon.  That, I can wrap my mind around.  That I can hope for.  "The expectation Father?...I need you for that.  I don't possess the ability to get there."

Oh my soul, yearn to God alone for holy expectation!

I would love to hear, and actually could use your input, and/or experience with this one.  Thoughts and comments please!