“ And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us”–Romans 5:3-5 (NASB).
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ our Lord,
Without any doubt, we have all experienced much disappointment over the last several months as we have tried our best to navigate the manifold disruptions, uncertainties, controversies, and troubles posed by the pandemic. I could easily come up with a rather long list of these disappointments. But to name only a few, we might include things like our disappointment with politicians, scientists, local government officials, the medical community, and certainly the media. And there are also disappointments related to the Church that we have all experienced in one way or another. After all, we are still sinners whose need for grace and mercy is made more evident when difficulties confront us.
While we recognize that disappointment is just one of the facts of life that affects all of us, there is yet a significant increase in our experience of this unpleasant feeling as we continue to slog our way from week-to-week, seemingly leaving one crisis only to face the next one. And, just a matter of weeks away now, we face another looming season of disappointment as we prepare to vote on our next President. As we approach November, we know we will endure the ever deepening cesspool of controversy, accusations and counter charges, and unfiltered hate into which our national elections have devolved. And even if our man wins, disappointment will surely pollute our celebrations as we are all but guaranteed four more years of dirty political warfare and its consequences.
Disappointment is an awful thing whenever it makes its unwelcomed and discomforting presence known. But what exactly is disappointment anyway?
Well to keep it simple, disappointed is what you are when things don’t work out as you had expected, or when people don’t do what you had hoped they’d do, or when something doesn’t work or function as advertised.
With this subject in mind, I have deliberately chosen today’s Scripture passage from the New American Standard translation. In verse 5 the Apostle Paul uses that word rendered “ disappoint” as he speaks of the rich blessings of our salvation. And he shows us something like a chain, or a sequence of things that happens in the lives of all those who belong to the Savior.
It goes like this: Because we have all “ been justified by faith” in Christ (v. 1), and have received God’s rich “ grace” (v. 2), we ever “ exult,” or rejoice, since we live “ in hope” of seeing the “ glory of God” (v. 2).
But there is more!
Paul explains that, all because of what God’s marvelous grace has accomplished for us and is still working in us even today, we also “ exult in our tribulations” (v. 3). And we do so because in them and by them our Father is transforming our character by producing in us the Christian virtues of “ perseverance,” “ proven character,” and “ hope” (vv. 3-4).
But then, Paul assures us that the “ hope” our Father is always birthing in our hearts through our sufferings and afflictions is a hope that will never “ disappoint” (v.5). And the reason there will be no disappointment for us is that His “ love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (v. 5).
Well, that’s surely a glorious mouthful of truth to digest, so let’s try and say it again.
Here is what’s going on in your life, and in the lives of all who are redeemed:
- You are standing in the unchanging, never failing grace of God.
- Hope has been planted deep in your heart.
- Because of this, you may always rejoice, even in your afflictions.
- You rejoice in your sufferings and earthly disappointments because you know something most certain about them.
- You know that in them your Heavenly Father is transforming you from the inside out, and is now glorifying His grace in you while preparing you for an eternity in His presence.
- But you also may be assured that when the Lord returns, you will not be disappointed in the least!
- On the Day of Judgment, you will not in any way be put to shame! You will not be let down. Everything that you have been promised will be delivered, and even more!
- And, finally, the assurance that all of this is true is the fact that your Father’s love for you is in your heart, becoming richer by the moment as the Holy Spirit helps you to understand and embrace it!
The promise here is that, in the end, you will never be disappointed with your Lord and His gift of salvation! Not now! Not ever!
I believe I’m on very safe ground to tell you that this week, like all the others that have come before it, will be stained with disappointment. People and institutions will let you down, as they always do. That’s life on this side of Eden. But, one thing is certain: All that you are longing for as you think of your beloved Savior and Redeemer will be yours, and then some! Where Jesus is, there is no disappointment to be found!
So on this new Monday, let me encourage you to allow all of your disappointments with life to move your heart to rest upon the One who is never a disappointment! And remember this blessed promise:
“ Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him”–1 Corinthians 2:9.
I love you all with all my heart, always!
Mike