Disappointed
How many times have we made a stand, and things have not worked out as we have planned, and we feel disappointed? The word disappointment means an emotion or state of being disappointed. The enemy loves to capture us in strong emotions. Disappointed means:
- Defeated in expectation or hope
- Obsolete: not adequately equipped
David understood the Secret Place and faced many opportunities where he could have been disappointed, but he said:
“I would have lost heart, unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!”
Psalm 27: 13, 14
David declared that he believed he would see the good things of the Lord, not when he got to Heaven, but here and now. The Lord has good things for us here on the earth. This confidence in the Lord was a force that prevented him from losing heart. The key was waiting and laboring in the Presence of the Lord.
David instructs us to be of good courage, which comes from a Hebrew word meaning to be mighty and to prevail. It talks of waxing strong and being resolute. As we take this step to be resolute in the promises of the Lord, the Lord imparts strength to our hearts.
David also said:
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.”
Psalm 34: 17
Do we ruminate on the problem or cry out to the Lord? Now, did the Lord disappoint David? No! Though at times it appeared like He did. In First Samuel chapter 29, we find that David, who has been fleeing Saul, is forced to align with the Philistines. But suddenly, that season ended, and the Philistines wanted David gone. Things then seem to go from bad to worse. Where is David to flee to now? Then, when he returns home in chapter 30, the Amalekites had raided his hometown, burnt everything, and taken the wives and children. Could things get worse? Yes! The people turn on David and want to stone him. David’s big crime was believing that the Lord had anointed him as king and one day would make him king.
But the Lord had a plan, and even though it all looked at a glance like David had failed, God was not finished. Had David remained with the Philistines, he would have been forced to kill Saul. So, the Lord distracted David and had him defeat the Amalekites.
Paul, like David, faced many opportunities to be disappointed, but he explained:
“For the Scriptures say, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
Romans 10: 11
Paul, in the midst of every trial, even when it looked like he would fail, understood that he would not be ashamed. Paul also said:
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Romans 5: 5
If we follow the story of Paul, we see that when he delivered a woman, Silas was thrown in jail. To make it worse, they were put in chains, and at the midnight hour, when it looked its worst, God sent an earthquake and birthed a church.
Paul then feels led to Jerusalem, and in Jerusalem, he is imprisoned and almost killed. He is accused of sedition.
“But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
Acts 23: 11
Hearing these words from the Master, you would assume free sailing and that now, finally, all would work perfectly. Further, often we assume the reason why things go wrong or we experience attacks is simply because we did something wrong. Have you ever gone through a season of non-stop attack, and when you talk to a believer about it, they ask, “What have you done wrong?” They explain that clearly, you have opened some door and you need to repent and put things right. But look at Paul! He was walking in obedience, and things were going wrong.
Well, you could say he acted in disobedience in going to Jerusalem even though the Lord applauded him. But now the Lord was sending him to Rome, so clearly now he is in obedience, so all should go well, right?
If we turn to Acts 27, we read the account of his trip to Rome. In verse 4, we are told, “The winds were contrary…” and “When we sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed…”
“…’Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of cargo and ship, but also our lives.”
Acts 27: 11
Yet, they pressed on and were hit with an Euroclydon, and it looks like the boat will run aground.
“And because we were exceeding tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.”
Acts 27: 20
Then we are told:
“For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you. Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.”
Acts 27: 23, 24
Clearly, now everything should be perfect, right? No, they are forced to run aground. Despite the angel and the encouragement from Heaven, Paul knew he still had to attack the circumstances with prayer.
“Now, when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Seas, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land…Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for days to come…”
Acts 27: 27, 29
Ultimately, Paul made it to Rome and finished his race.
“Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.”
Acts 28: 30, 31
In the midst of the worst situation, Paul had liberty and was able to fulfill his high call. Today, we are blessed because of the letters he wrote during this time. If we focus on a specific time period, all looks lost, but God was not finished. Paul went through some challenging seasons that most of us would not want or could not endure. But look at the fruit of his ministry.
The hope that God gave him he knew would not fail. What gave Paul such confidence that he remained unmoved was the love of the Lord. He understood that the Lord God loved him and, as a Secret Place dweller, was kept by the Lord.
“Fear not, for I am with you’ be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous hand.”
Isaiah 41: 10
Here is the key! We must understand who He is and that He is with us. Further:
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 19: 1
We must trust that He is directing our steps, and even when we make mistakes, and we repent, He is able to redeem the situation. Further, He is able to turn all things around and make them work for good:
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8: 28
