Disappointment comes in all forms.  But, what causes us to be disappointed?  For me, it is the expectation of a certain outcome and for whatever reason, the outcome doesn’t happen the way I hoped or dreamed.  For example, all of us most likely disappointed our parents at one time or another.  Our parents have hopes and dreams for us and then as children, we often fail and do not meet up to their expectations or what they had hoped for us.

In 1 Kings 11:1-3, I am disappointed in Solomon.  He was King David’s son and full of promise as the King of Israel.  In fact, Solomon is the king that when God asked what he could for him, Solomon answered that he wanted wisdom to guide God’s people.  Solomon had promise of becoming a prominent king!  But, he had a weakness.  He loved women, even women who were not Israelites and they turned his heart away from God.  The foreigners did not worship God, but worshipped idols.  “So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not completely follow the Lord, as his father David had done” (1 Kings 11:6).  I’m so disappointed!  And, can you imagine how God must have been so disappointed?

Solomon was punished by God, but still respected his father David.  God doesn’t tear the kingdom from Solomon or during his lifetime, but makes his son suffer and carry the weight (v.12).  Because of Jesus Christ, God doesn’t act in this manner any more.  We may suffer from our consequences for our wrongdoings in this world because of the law, but we will not suffer because of God.  We may disappoint God, but because of Christ, we are forgiven, and given new life to try again!  Jesus never disappoints us!

Let us pray…Gracious God, I cannot imagine my life if it were not for Jesus who came to save me from myself.  Help us to give thanks and praise for your Son, Jesus Christ who forgives us even when we know we disappoint you.  In your name we pray.  Amen.