Quick. Put in the Ear Plugs

Disappointments

One of the interesting water activities in Florida is an airboat ride. Riding on the open waterways allows you to see various water creatures. Often you will see alligators sunning themselves on the shoreline. It is amazing that the ride is so noisy that many people wear ear plugs or ear muffs, yet the noise doesn’t seem to bother the wildlife.

We took our grandson on an airboat ride. He was filled with anticipation. He wanted to see the alligators in their natural habitat. Having hearing damage already, he made sure the driver placed him in the boat where he would have the least noise and vibration. He put in his ear plugs, then his noise reduction muffs, and was ready for the adventure.

An hour later, he removed the muffs and plugs and reminded us disappointingly that he had not seen anything – not even a duck or a shore nesting bird. And certainly no alligator!

Sounds like life sometimes, doesn’t it? We build up anticipation for a great adventure or event and when it is over, the only thing we have experienced is disappointment.

The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 5:5 that “hope does not disappoint us”. He is not speaking about anticipating some special thing or activity that we are looking forward to. He is reminding us that we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, or in modern English, “a joyous expectation of the heavenly state of God,” The prophet Isaiah had this to say about hope, “Those who hope in me [God] will not be disappointed” (49:23c). Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3).

If you are experiencing disappointment today, take out the ear plugs, remove the ear muffs, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. He will never fail you, never desert you, never disappoint you.