Jump Start # 2494

1 Peter 2:6 “For this is contained in Scripture: Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed.”

  Disappointments are a part of life, but they are never any fun when they come our way. Early in life, we face disappointments. We wanted to stay up and our parents told us to go to bed. We wanted to eat chocolate for dinner and our parents made us eat veggies. We watched as people we went to school with made varsity and we didn’t. We saw some make the school play and we didn’t. The person we really liked in school was dating someone else. Then, we didn’t get the classes we wanted in college. We didn’t get the job we wanted.

  And, here in the week of Christmas, some will be disappointed. There was one special gift that they wanted and they didn’t get that gift. Disappointed. For some, it seems that disappointments have followed them most of their lives. And, those mounting disappointments have left them miserable and feeling that they are not as good as others. This has wrecked their self esteem, killed their ego and made them believe that they won’t ever be in Heaven, because they are not as good as others. Their self worth just isn’t worth very much these days. Like ole’ Eeyore, the loveable donkey in Winnie the Pooh, head hung down, talking negatively about himself, not feeling like he ought to be included, is exactly the way that the disappointed feel about themselves.

  When one has a spiritual heart, sin will make you feel disappointed. It ought to. It should. You have broken the heart of God. You have chosen wrong. And, the more one sins, the more he feels disappointed. Lower and lower he sinks until he finally believes that it’s impossible for him to be saved.

  Disappointments sink. That’s just the truth of the matter. Some disappointments are shallow and we forget about them very quickly. Others, have a way of being filed deeply within our memory and no matter what we do, they are there. Our upbringing has much to do with this as well. Some parents tell their kids, “You disappoint me.” That stings and that has a way of making it back to the files in our memory. That can lead to someone believing that he cannot accomplish anything worthwhile in life. Loser becomes his title and he believes that.

  Our verse today is about Jesus. It’s a quotation from Isaiah. It’s found two other times in Romans. He who believes in Him will not be disappointed. Why? Because Jesus delivers. Jesus saves. Jesus does what no one else does. He doesn’t give up on us. He takes us at our worst and still believes in us. He molds us, shapes us, forgives us and puts us right in the forefront of kingdom work.

  Now, there is a since in which some might be disappointed in Jesus. They get that way when they want Jesus to close the Bible and allow them to wallow in sin and stay there. Those who want to marry anyone and everyone and anything and everything, would be disappointed in what Jesus said about marriage. Marriage isn’t for everyone. Some not knowing that, have ruined relationships and hurt others.

  Those that want to party with the pagans, dance to the moon, worship themselves, and have no restrictions, no commandments, nothing off limits will be greatly disappointed in Jesus. That’s not Jesus. That’s not what He is about. Jesus isn’t Burger King, where you can “Have it your own way.” Not with Jesus. It’s His way or no way.

  But for those who bow their hearts to Jesus, what a wonderful, wonderful life they find. He called this the abundant life. Here we find a whole worldwide family of believers that love us, accept us and are like us. We find joy and peace. We find hearts that are calm and restful. We find worship that is God centered, God pleasing and heartfelt. We find a work to do that is the greatest in all the world, the work of the kingdom. We find people who genuinely care about us and are willing to sit with us, talk with us and pray with us. We find a home awaiting us in Heaven. We find purpose and direction in life. We find understanding and truth which becomes the foundation upon which we stand.

  Those that believe will not be disappointed. Through the years, I’ve met folks who got upset with preachers, mad at elders, had their feelings hurt by brethren. But I’ve never met anyone who claimed that Jesus mistreated him. Never met anyone on the way out who blamed Jesus. There have been some who were mad at the church. And among those who believe, what I find is a wish that they had started following Jesus much earlier in their lives. No regrets in being a Christian. No doing things differently, other than getting on board sooner in life.

  There is no disappointment in Him for those who believe. That’s just something to remember!

  Roger

Jump Start # 450 

1 Peter 2:6 “For this is contained in Scripture: ‘Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and He who believes in Him will not be disappointed.’”

  Peter is referring to Jesus in our passage. He quotes from Isaiah. This thought is found twice in Romans. The following verse in Peter says, “the stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone.” The concept is building a structure with large stones. Stone cutters and stone masons would be used. Each stone would be carefully examined. The stone would have to be cut straight and be able to bear the weight of other stones on top of it. Jesus was chosen by God—He was the best stone. The builders, the Jewish nation, examined Jesus. They heard His words, they saw the miracles. They rejected Jesus. They rejected Him after examining Him.

  Peter, using Isaiah, says, “he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

 Disappointment. That’s a part of life, it seems all of life. As a student, a person may be disappointed at which teacher they got, often hoping for another one. We watch our favorite teams get beat and we are disappointed. We can disappoint our mates, when one comes home and the other hasn’t lived up to what they said they were going to do. We buy things and when we get home the items are not as great as we thought, we are disappointed. A new CD comes out by one of our favorite groups, and it’s not so good. We’re disappointed.

  There is a deeper level of disappointment—it involves the emotional and spiritual support that we need. A person can be disappointed with the folks at church. The lack of leadership, selfishness, and a general disconnection can leave a person feeling isolated and alone. Prayer lists are found each week in bulletins, but those names are rarely prayed about. A meal is taken for a funeral, but after that, nothing more is done. A child becomes a prodigal and no concern seems to be extended. I am seeing this spiritual disappointment all over the country from brethren in all sizes of churches. It seems that we are so wrapped up in our world that we forget about others. The result is members start finding comfort elsewhere and sometimes in places and with people that they shouldn’t.

  When our prayers are not answered as we want, we can feel disappointed with God. We wonder why He is not there for us. The Psalmist would cry many times, wanting to know why God seemed so distant and removed. Silence can do that.

  Disappointment leads to resentment and anger. Most times, when a member is angry with the church, is because of a lack of support, encouragement and connection with the others. It happens. We do drop the ball—let’s be honest. There are times the leadership fails.

  Leaving doesn’t solve things. You’ll find yourself being disappointed elsewhere in time. Stick in there. God works on His time table not ours. The song, ‘In His time,’ reminds us of this. God is good. Don’t give up on Him because things are not the way you think they should be. Lessons are learned during tough times.

  And don’t give up on others—you need them and they definitely need you. It’s through disappointment that changes come about for the positive. You be the one who is there for others. You show people how it ought to be done. Why should I? Because it’s what God wants you to do.

  God has never deserted you nor not loved you. NEVER. He has promises, plans and big things awaiting for you. Be the feet, eyes and hands of God as you serve others. Develop that heart of a servant.

  There is no disappointment in HIM. For that, I’m thankful.

Roger