God's plan in the midst of disappointment

God has His Plans in Every Disappointment

Pastor Dr Ling

Pray for family

1.       Build a family according to God’s will (Eph 5:21-6:4)

a.       Fear God – put God in the first place

b.      Build a family altar

c.       Love one another and submit to one another

d.      孝顺父母、教养儿女Honour the parents, teach the children

2.       The Mission of the family (Deut  6:4-9)

a.       Pass the faith to the next generation (one that fears God ) 
    把信仰传递下一代(敬虔的后代)

b.      Bear testimony in family life

1Sa 8:1-9;19-22   撒母耳年纪老迈，就立他儿子作以色列的士师。  (2)   长子名叫约珥，次子名叫亚比亚；他们在别是巴作士师。  (3)   他儿子不行他的道，贪图财利，收受贿赂，屈枉正直。  (4)   以色列的长老都聚集，来到拉玛见撒母耳，  (5)   对他说：「你年纪老迈了，你儿子不行你的道。现在求你为我们立一个王治理我们，像列国一样。」  (6)   撒母耳不喜悦他们说「立一个王治理我们」，他就祷告耶和华。  (7)   耶和华对撒母耳说：「百姓向你说的一切话，你只管依从；因为他们不是厌弃你，乃是厌弃我，不要我作他们的王。  (8)   自从我领他们出埃及到如今，他们常常离弃我，事奉别神。现在他们向你所行的，是照他们素来所行的。  (9)   故此你要依从他们的话，只是当警戒他们，告诉他们将来那王怎样管辖他们。」  …  (19)   百姓竟不肯听撒母耳的话，说：「不然！我们定要一个王治理我们，  (20)   使我们像列国一样，有王治理我们，统领我们，为我们争战。」  (21)   撒母耳听见百姓这一切话，就将这话陈明在耶和华面前。  (22)   耶和华对撒母耳说：「你只管依从他们的话，为他们立王。」撒母耳对以色列人说：「你们各归各城去吧！」

Samuel is more excellent than his mentor Eli. The Israel beat all their enemies when they had Samuel as their leader, someone who feared God. In 1 Sam 8, Samuel had 2 dilemmas, he was old and he had not one to succeed him. His children loved money and did not walk in his ways.

The people wanted a king when they saw Samuel was old and his children were not fit to lead them. They wanted a king just like the people around them. They didn’t want God as their king anymore. We cannot worship a picture or Jesus or the Bible. We worship God in spirit and in truth.

When we are disappointed, be comforted.

Samuel was disappointed that the people rejected him after all he had done for them. Life is not always as we expect. What did Samuel do when he was disappointed? He prayed. And God comforted him telling him the people did not reject him but God. God further consoled him by telling him the Israelites were a difficult people to please. God did not mention Samuel’s problem with his children.

God is available 24 x 7.

Mat 12:20   压伤的芦苇，他不折断；将残的灯火，他不吹灭；等他施行公理，叫公理得胜

Look to God or look for people.

We should have someone who will listen to us, encourage us without being too quick to judge and to make comments.

Do not be obsessed with disappointment

不要为失望的事捉狂

God told Samuel to be obsessed with his disappointment.

不断算过去的“失去”，失去现在的“得着”

不断遗憾过去的痛苦，失去现在的幸福

不断算过去的失败，失去现在成功的机会

Keep thinking about what is “lost” you may miss out the possible gain in the present.

Keep regretting past pain you may lose the current blessings.

Keep thinking about past failure and you may miss out the chances to succeed today.

Elijah was greatly used by God. But right after a great victory for God, he wanted to call it quits.

Learn to let go. Learn to follow God’s desire. Do not carry unnecessary burden. Forgive.

Do not give up

Samuel remained faithful to God. He continued to serve the people who rejected him. He did not give up. He was a faithful servant of God. The test of a character is not during our success but when we are in the valley.

Study could be hard. The road could be long. The life could be hard. Press on. It is only by overcoming disappointment can we mature.

God has His plan in Every Disappointment

Gen 17:6   我必使你的後裔极其繁多；国度从你而立，君王从你而出。

Deu 17:14-17   「到了耶和华你神所赐你的地，得了那地居住的时候，若说：『我要立王治理我，像四围的国一样。』  (15)   你总要立耶和华你神所拣选的人为王。必从你弟兄中立一人；不可立你弟兄以外的人为王。  (16)   只是王不可为自己加添马匹，也不可使百姓回埃及去，为要加添他的马匹，因耶和华曾吩咐你们说：『不可再回那条路去。』  (17)   他也不可为自己多立妃嫔，恐怕他的心偏邪；也不可为自己多积金银。

God has already promised a king from the descendants of Abraham. God knows man’s weaknesses. He has put this into consideration in all His plans. What God intends to do, He has a way to accomplish it.

Abraham lied about Sarah. Abraham also had Ishmael with Hagar as the request of Sarah. But God gave them Isaac. 


Sometimes, God’s plans could not be carried out perfectly, this is due to man’s weaknesses. But God’s promises are always fulfilled.