When David wrote Psalm 122, he opened by saying, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!’” David puts words to something that God’s people have felt from generation to generation. It’s a joy to gather together and worship God!
The fact that worship is a joy is one of the reasons it’s so hard for us not to gather these days. Sure, we’ve got technology to help close the gap. We can live stream worship services. We can pray together and study with our small groups in video conferences. We have many ways to stay connected with each other. But it’s not the same as going to worship the Lord together, is it? And when technology lets us down, like it did this past Sunday, we’re more painfully aware of that difference.
It's natural to get upset or discouraged by such disappointments, but what does that gain us? Instead, I suggest we approach them as opportunities. Disappointments have important truths to teach us if we’re willing to learn from them.
1. Disappointments expose that sin is real. In Romans 8:20, Paul writes that creation has been subjected to futility. It falls short of its original design and disappoints us. Some days it’s easy to forget the world is under a curse and it’s on those days that we’re most likely to lay up earthly treasures for ourselves. Disappointments remind us this fallen world is not our home – and we wouldn’t want it to be anyway.
2. Disappointments make our hope concrete. The hope of the gospel is that, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God is making all things new. He’s rolling back the curse of sin. That’s our hope – but sometimes that hope feels a bit abstract. When we say Jesus is making all things new, we mean the real disappointments of real life. Heaven will have no canceled graduation ceremonies, no shortage of the things we need, and no technical difficulties. Each day’s disappointments point us to heaven because they put a face on the curse. Jesus is undoing those things too.
3. Disappointments remind us that God is gracious. We all experience disappointments but, thankfully, not everything is disappointing. Sometimes a movie really does live up to the hype. Sometimes a break is actually restful, and you feel recharged. Disappointments remind us of all the times we’re not disappointed – and all of those are gifts of God’s grace. Darkness makes us notice the light. Thirst makes us appreciate a drink. Disappointments help us see God’s grace.
Maybe you were disappointed on Sunday by the technical difficulties. If you’d like to listen to what you missed, you can find a clearer video of the service here or just the sermon audio here. We’ve addressed our technical issues so, Lord willing, things will run smoothly this Sunday.
As you think back on the past few weeks, what has been most disappointing to you? Our God is a good Father and he doesn’t waste anything. He knows exactly what we need. What could the Lord be teaching you through these disappointments?