Disappointments

I wrote yesterday about how I enjoy reading and contemplating Romans 5:1-5.  I hope you took the time to also read it and that it spoke to you.  Sometimes it is good to not just read through a paragraph in Scripture, but to look at the individual words and think about each word, or combination of words.

In that paragraph, you will find faith, hope, and love.  You will come across rejoicing and suffering.  Did you notice the Trinity?  God the father. Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit.

My focus kept coming back to verse 5: “This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  [HCSB]

My thoughts centered on the hope that does not disappoint.  I’ve lived 75 years and I must acknowledge that there have been many disappointments in my life.  Many times my expectations have not come to pass.  Too many times people have disappointed me.  I’ve been disappointed in employers, church, friends, products, vacations, locations, you name it.  Disappointments abound in this world.

But Paul’s emphasis here is on “the hope” that does not disappoint.  That hope is born out of suffering; it is produced when suffering is approached correctly.  That hope does not disappoint, Paul says, “because God” … because God in the midst of our suffering poured out his love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

I can look back on these 75 years and admit there have been many disappointments.  I can look back and see the times when suffering seemed to be the norm rather than the exception.  But I can also look back and see the times that God simply picked me up and set me on His lap and held me close.  I can hear His whispers that He was with me, that this too shall pass.  

 Those were special times, and they produced a hope that whatever suffering might arise, God’s love will see me through.

I wonder how many people were hoping that 2021 would end better than 2020. If they were, they may have been a bit disappointed.

I know I entered 2021 anticipating that the v- and fear-pandemic would decline around the country and the world. Instead, it developed variant after variant, people I knew died, the media and science and politicians each tried to assert their own view. We were fed truths and falsehood and had to try to determine which was which. That was not easy. (Still isn’t!)

I also experienced a few personal disappointments that I need to reconcile in my heart. Suddenly, as I am beginning the new year, the first part of Romans 5 has become more vital for my life. Promises such as “declared righteous by faith” and “peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ” have become promises to cling to daily.

But it is those words in verses 3-6 that truly hit every day living “…we rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.”

Paul reminds us that “This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly.” [HCSB]

Our hope in God’s love does not disappoint us – unlike the events we experience in the world. God’s hope is a steady, secure, proven hope. It was proven at the cross … for while we were still helpless (and I don’t know about you, but I am still helpless apart from Christ Jesus) … Christ died for us (the ungodly).

Knowing that means that despite the disappointments found in this life, we can (and should) rejoice daily in the hope of God’s proven love! A great reminder for a new year!