Disappointment.
Disappointment is a school in which we learn to reduce to practice the great truth that we cannot be safe, much less happy, but in proportion as we are weaned from our own wills and brought into subjection to the will of God. We form schemes that look so plausible that when they are broken we are so disappointed and think it is such a pity they should have failed. Again we try, but with no better success. Not yet discouraged, we plan again, and so continue to plan till we learn that we are not more able than we are worthy to choose for ourselves. It is then that the Lord's precious promise to care for us, if we cast our care upon him, appears valuable. We, in time, are brought to see that if our plans had succeeded, we would have been deprived of greater good the Lord had in store for us. Or, if this is hidden from our minds, we learn that "it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."We are so short-sighted that we can only judge of things by their present appearances, while the Lord sees them in all their consequences. As this is true, how much better it is to trust our affairs in his hands than to risk them in our own! If we could see things just as he sees them we would be of his mind. What a mercy it is, then, that he manages for us, even though we are not always pleased with his management! When he gives a people up to walk in the ways of their own hearts, he inflicts upon them a very severe judgment. If one who is blind, being dependent upon some one to lead him, were to dispute with his leader about every step, would it not be very presumptuous in him? Then if he were left to grope his own way alone would he not soon learn his folly?
Disappointment often comes by our succeeding to accomplish our purpose. The good we hoped thus to obtain is not found. We had expected the coveted gain would yield us delight, but alas! instead of plucking fruit we encounter a thorn. We often imagine that the next year will find us more pleasantly situated, but the next year finds us much the same.
"Glad frames too often lift us up,
And then we sink as low."
Let us, then, cast down the load we are unable to carry, and refer
all things to the Lord our Shepherd. Let us endeavor to live to him
and for him today, and be glad that tomorrow, with all that belongs
to it, is in his hands. It is not really necessary for us to become
rich or great here, neither is it really necessary for us to be
favored with ease and pleasure, but it is necessary for us to be
humble and spiritually minded, to seek communion with God, to adorn
our profession with a godly walk and pious conversation, and yield
submissively to his disposal of events and circumstances.
Disappointments, though they may seem great to us now, are really such little things! Their littleness will appear by and by when we are enabled to see them as they really are. We laugh at the folly of a child that cries because some little want is not granted, but we are all children in this respect, more or less. If we could see ourselves as the Lord sees us, we would be surprised at our impatience under trivial disappointments.
We do not wish to be understood to encourage an idle, aimless course. He who aims at nothing achieves nothing, and the world is no better off by his having lived in it. Have a noble, honest purpose in view and strive to attain it, but leave the disposal of providential events with the good and wise Ruler.
J. R. D.
Copyright c. 2005. All rights reserved. The Primitive Baptist Library.
