Disappointed: Emotional Theology #3

“and hope does not disappoint; because” Romans 5:5

Disappoint – How many times have we read this verse and never heard it speak to the depths of our hearts? Do we really believe that God engineers life in order that we can arrive at the place of no disappointment? Have we submitted ourselves so completely to Jesus that we find His compassionate touch in everything that happens to us?

If we are going to develop a real emotional theology, we must confront our disappointments with God’s truth. We need beliefs that work when life doesn’t measure up.

Kataischunei is intensified Greek for “to make ashamed, to dishonor or to disgrace”. The translation “disappoint” is the result of the contextual meaning. Paul presents a series of causes and effects, ending in this word. He says, “What God is doing will not make us ashamed. Under His direction, our experiences will not disappoint us because His love carries us through.”

Here’s the truth: God knows what He is doing with me. If I am submitted to Him, I may not see the plan. I may not understand the pattern. But I know the character of the Father and the compassion of the Son, and that is enough (if I am really submitted) for me to say, “Yes, Lord, I trust you. You are my hope and I am not ashamed to follow where you lead.” Disappointment implies that my expectations have been frustrated. I can’t be disappointed unless something that I desired or expected does not come to pass. If my life is set firmly on “Your will, not mine”, what can possibly disappoint? Emotional theology rests its case on the compassion, grace, mercy and direction of the Father. Disappointment rests its case of the expectation of the servant.

Paul’s progression is important. We rejoice in difficulties because difficulties produce patience. We welcome patience because patience produces depth of character. And we are not disappointed along the way because God’s love is poured out into our hearts. That’s the purpose of all this engineering. To stand at the bottom of the waterfall of God’s love. To be washed in the stream, taste the spray, feel the power cascading over me. Disappointed? If you ever stand under that waterfall, you will be the first to say, “No way. This is fabulous!”