Great Disappointment
Author: Pastor Mitch Williams
October 22, 2020
Hasn’t 2020 been a great disappointment? Vacation plans cancelled.
School life scuttled. Work life turned upside down. Social isolation.
Loneliness. Fear. Confusion. The hopes we had in January for a wonderful
new year and decade have been marred by the many unprecedented,
dreadful events of 2020.
History tells us that
1844 turned out to be another year of great disappointment (at least,
for earnest Christians.) In that year, and specifically Tuesday, October
22, the expectation was that Jesus would be coming a second time. The
preaching of William Miller had brought thousands to believe that Bible
prophecy was pointing to the definitive return of Jesus on that
particular date.
Believing Jesus' return was
imminent and certain, many refrained from planting crops in the spring
and preparing for the cold of winter. Jesus did not come and it turned
out to be a great disappointment, to put it lightly. No doubt a greater
letdown than what we are feeling this year.
But
the good news is that the Lord takes our greatest disappointments and
turns them into opportunities to grow. When Joseph was disappointed in
being sold into slavery, the Lord had plans to make him like a Pharaoh.
When the fleeing Children of Israel were disappointed that they were
trapped by Pharaoh’s army, the Lord parted the Red Sea. When the
disciples were disappointed that Jesus had died, He visited them on the
third day in the Upper Room.
In 1844, many
Christians would later realize the disappointment of not seeing Jesus
was an appointment to let the world know that we were now living in the
judgment hour. Today, Jesus is getting ready to return with His
judgments in hand.
Today is October 22. What is
your great disappointment? Give it to Jesus because it is very likely
He has something very special in store for you. Remember, His plans will
always be more beautiful and greater than all your disappointments.
But
those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount
up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall
walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
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