Fireworks!

I’m in Kentucky for a quick family reunion and then clearing out the remaining items of my great aunt’s home. It’s been a busy time and there hasn’t been internet access.

So for the next two days, you’ll be reading older posts. I pray that you will find great comfort and exactly what you need through the words on Full Measure of Joy. It’s such a pleasure to write for my Lord.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

The Display of His Splendor

Each year on the first Saturday in August, my little town hosts a celebration of music. Live bands will be playing on an outdoor stage all afternoon and into the evening. Food vendors will prepare and sell delicious festival foods. At the end of the evening, a glorious fireworks display will fill the sky.

Now here’s the best part. It can all be seen and heard from my back yard. I’m not kidding. It’s not close enough that I could throw a stone at it, but it’s pretty close. We can hear the music and the fireworks display is so close that we just sit on our deck and they are right above us. When we hear the first boom, we head out. No traffic problems. No crowds to dodge. It’s just me and the fam taking in a great fireworks display.

My daughter is bringing the grandkids up for the show tonight and she’s bringing a friend with her kids. I can’t wait for them all to be here and see how special this evening is going to be.

If it doesn’t rain.

I’m not being a “negative Nellie.” It really might rain. There’s like a 50% chance that it’s gonna rain and in Colorado, that’s a pretty good chance. How disappointing for all those kids (and adults) who are excited about seeing fireworks tonight for them to be rained out.

Life can be disappointing. We set high standards for ourselves and for others and because we live in a fallen world, we meet disappointment on a regular basis.

So today I offer some Scripture to help us with our deepest disappointments. The ones that can’t be fixed with an ice cream cone. Take a look at God’s Words for dealing with disappointment.

“Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. But you, O Lord, have mercy on me; raise me up, that I may repay them. I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.” (Psalm 41:9-13 – NIV)

Friends may disappoint us, but we have the True Friend who will never disappoint. Allow God to lift up you and cover you with His mercy and presence. And then praise Him for who He is and for what He’s done. Disappointment will flee.

And we also see in Proverbs 18:24 (NIV) how God will not disappoint and that we can be dependent on God. “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

There are other disappointing circumstances in our lives and we find in Isaiah 61 how God lifts up the brokenhearted and remains close during these disappointing times.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” (Isaiah 61:1-3 – NIV)

Even in our most disappointing moments, God is there to give us exactly what we need.

And then we read Jesus’ words in the New Testament. In this passage, Jesus offers relief from disappointment through His comfort. His rest. His gentleness. His humility.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 – NIV)

Life is still going to disappoint. There’s no getting around it. But when we find ultimate comfort in God’s arms, the disappointments won’t seem nearly as overwhelming.

I don’t know if there will be fireworks tonight. If there aren’t, I need to have a backup plan. But what I do know is that only God can offer complete satisfaction 100% of the time. I know I can count on Him. I know He is the One to offer complete relief from disappointments. I know I will never be disappointed in God.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna