Following Through Disappointment

Synopsis     1Sam 20:25-34     10/12/2018

King Saul sat at the new moon feast. Jonathan and other leaders from Saul’s court were with him at table. However, David was missing. Initially, Saul dismissed his absence. But when he was absent on the second night of the month, Saul became concerned.

So, he questioned Jonathan. He asked him if he knew why David was not there. But Jonathan was  testing his father. He and David had agreed on what to say. And so, Jonathan explained to his father that he had given David leave to return to Bethlehem for a family feast.

Saul reacted with irrational anger at Jonathan’s response. In the end, he revealed his intention to kill David. And so, Jonathan left the meal enraged at his father’s faithlessness.

Saul Devastates Jonathan

Jonathan felt devastated. His father was Saul, king of Israel. And Saul was determined to kill David, Jonathan’s best and closest friend.

Jonathan felt grief because he knew there would be no changing Saul’s mind this time. And he felt frustrated because it made no sense. He knew his father was being led by irrational emotions. And he felt powerless, because he knew there was nothing he could do to  change things.

Yet, Jonathan remained faithful to both Saul and David. He kept following God despite his failed expectations.

Following Through Disappointment

Disappointment is unavoidable. It is a fact of life.

I feel disappointment because I have formed expectations. These are the “what should be” things in my mind – in my life. And it’s these expectations of how things should be that can fail. What’s more, that failure brings the feeling of disappointment and an accompanying emotional sadness.

Some expectations are completely legitimate. When someone voluntarily or contractually makes a promise, it’s reasonable to expect that they will do what they promised. But sometimes my expectations aren’t valid. Sometimes I just expect others to behave in a way that suits me.

But in either case, my response to disappointments is one of the key indicators of my growth in this life.

Risk is inherent and unavoidable. And, sometimes I’m disappointed. But, I can’t stop taking risks and still live a productive, meaningful and faithful life. So, don’t let the disappointments of life keep you from taking risks.

The righteous cry out, the LORD hears and he rescues them from all their afflictions. Psalm 34:18

In Memory: Connie June Patton 10/22/38-10/8/2018