Last week we learned of the kinds of excuses Moses offered up to God, even though God told him that his ministry would be a success, because He would be with him in power and authority. After God became angry with the constant whining from Moses, he told him his brother, Aaron, could accompany him as his partner. God arranges the meeting.
“Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel. Aaron spoke all the words that the LORD had spoken to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people.”
“And the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.”
Excitement and hope are in the air. Then they stand before Pharaoh.
“Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’”
“But Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.”
“Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.”
Exodus 4:29-31 – Exodus 5:1-3
What we have just read is what some have called the anatomy of disappointment.
What does disappointment do?
- It shatters our dreams
- It erodes our confidence
- It exposes our limitations
- It encourages doubt and fear
- It drains us of all hope
God is working his plan and it is a good plan. But his plan rarely works out according to how we think it should work out.
How Do We Survive The Waves of Disappointment?
- We must acknowledge that .
- We must accept that God’s plans often involve .
- “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
- We must give our attention to .
3 Things That Can Deepen Our Disappointment
- A to God’s word.
“Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” Exodus 5:3
2. The .
“Then the foremen of the people of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, “Why do you treat your servants like this? No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.” Exodus 5:15-16
3. The of God’s promises.
“Then Moses turned to the LORD and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all.” Exodus 5:22-23
Trust him that his plans always .