This morning as I completed my morning devotional, I read a passage from Joshua 24 where we find specific references to the inheritance that God had given to each of the tribes of Israel and their descendants as they moved into the Promised Land. I was especially intrigued by the references to Caleb, a prominent individual from the Tribe of Judah. Caleb and Joshua were the only descendants of the original Children of Israel who survived the 40-year sojourn from Egypt into the Promised Land.
Having celebrated my eightieth birthday last year, I especially identify with Caleb who was 85 when claimed his inheritance, despite the fact the land promised to him was still inhabited by the Anakim, so-called “giants in the land.” As I completed the Bible reading with this Verse of the Day from Joshua 21:45, this original psalm came to mind.
Like Caleb
But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him,
and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land
whereinto he went, and his seed shall possess it.
Numbers 14:24
Caleb, son of Jephunneh, of the tribe of Judah:
The impact of this solitary life who can gauge?
May I be like Caleb, who grew in faith with the years
That passed, who with renewed courage transformed his fears
Into faith and lived to slay giants in his old age.
May I rise above any adverse circumstance.
As Caleb claimed for himself his inheritance,
May I too seize God’s promises at this new stage,
To remain fruitful in this season of my life.
And may I wholly follow the ways of the Lord,
Teaching by example the precepts of the Word.
As a servant, may I dispel envy and strife.
Like Caleb, may I look at life as one who sees
Not obstacles but endless possibilities.
The Verse of the Day from the Old Testament also reminded of me this exhortation from Romans 15:4
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
Psalm 145:13 offers this reminder:
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.
2 Peter 1:4
And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
2 Corinthians 1:20
For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
We conclude with this musical reminder from Maverick City Music: “Promises”:
Instead of the usual Verse of the Day for March 5, 2017, we want to take a look at another Quote of the Day, based on the Faith:
“Faith and trust will never meet with disappointment.”
The statement reiterates the message of assurance found in Romans 9:33 (AMP):
As it is written and forever remains written, “Behold I am laying in Zion a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense; And he who believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will not be disappointed [in his expectations].”
Romans 10:11 (AMP) also reinforces the same promise:
For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will not be disappointed [in his expectations].”
Here is an excerpt from a previous blog entry that examined the same subject of “disappointment”:
The word is “disappointment” is defined as “a feeling of dissatisfaction, the emotion felt when a strongly held anticipation is not fulfilled.” As we go about our daily lives, all of us have experienced disappointment to some degree. We must recognize, however, that disappointments occurred when situations have not turned out the way we thought they would. In actuality, our disappointments – every one of them – come from the “add-ons” we attach, those things God never promised but which we add to God’s promises. In every situation whereby we might feel disappointed, we need to focus on the Word of God, and be grateful for the promises that we have rather than dwelling on what we do not have, which ultimately leads to being disappointed:
2 Peter 1:4(NKJV) reminds of the vast reservoir of God’s pledges:
by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV):
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
We must continually look to God and to those exceedingly great and precious promises in His Word. As we do this we recognize that God does not disappoint nor fail to fulfill His promises. No, He does not prevent hopes or expectations from being realized, which is how we define the verb to “disappoint.” One is said to be “disappointed” or sad or displeased because one’s own hopes or expectations have not been fulfilled.
We cannot hold onto any feelings of being disappointed! In reality, feelings of disappointments consist of our hopes and expectations. Disappointments come when God does not come through at the time that we “expect” Him to nor in the way we “expect” Him to. Disappointment is the result of “failed expectations” on our part.
We must remember that there is no failure in God, for God is good. The very essence of God is goodness. Indeed, Jesus Christ said, “There is none good but the Father.” Because God is good, “. . . all things work together for the good, to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) So no matter how bad the situation may appear to be, it will work together for the good. When facing what appears to be disappointing aspects in life, we can look to the Word of God and find that those who trust in God will not be disappointed.
Proverbs 23:18 (AMP) further reminds us:
For surely there is a latter end [a future and a reward], and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) also reminds us God’s concern for our future or “final outcome”:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
The Amplified Bible again expresses this truth this way:
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
Edith Lillian Young has found a simple way of countering disappointment simply by making a small change which can result in a big change in our attitude toward this particular “deadly emotion.”
Disappointment
“Disappointment – His appointment,”
Change one letter, then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God’s better choice for me.
His appointment must be a blessing,
though it may come in disguise,
for the end from the beginning
open to His wisdom lies.
“Disappointment – His appointment,”
Whose? The Lord, who loves me best,
Understands and knows me fully,
Who my faith and love would test;
For, like a loving earthly parent,
He rejoices when He knows
That His child accepts, unquestioned,
All that from His wisdom flows.
“Disappointment – His appointment,”
“No good thing will He withhold,”
From denials oft we gather
Treasures of His love untold,
Well He knows each broken purpose
Leads to fuller, deeper trust,
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just.
“Disappointment – His appointment,”
Lord, I take it, then, as such.
Like the clay in hands of potter,
Yielding wholly to Thy touch.
All my life’s plan is Thy molding,
Not one single choice be mine;
Let me answer, unrepining –
“Father, not my will, but Thine.”
Phil Keaggy offers a musical rendition of these same lyrics:
Today’s post centers on the “Quote of the Day” for January 27, 2017 which offers this enlightening statement:
”Problems are not meant to destroy you; they are just the “in-between” before the Provision.”
I recall a teaching a number of years ago that pointed out that problems are actually situated as the intermediary phase between “the Promises of God” and His ultimate Provision: Promises—Problems—Provision.
Earlier this week, we posted comments regarding the word “disappointment,” defined as “feelings of dissatisfaction, the emotion felt when a strongly held anticipation is not fulfilled.” We must recognize, however, that disappointments occurred when situations have not turned out the way we thought they would nor at the time that we would. Since that time, I have come across a scientific word to describe some of the negative emotions associated with broken promises. When an individual fails to live up to the high expectations of another person to whom promises have been made, psychologists use the term “negative expectancy disconfirmation.”
In contrast, the Word of God reveals that God has provided His people with “exceedingly great and precious promises” We are also reminded that “all the promises of God in Christ are Yes, and in Christ, Amen to the glory of God.” A previous blog post reiterated this point:
We must remember that there is no failure in God, for God is good. The very essence of God is goodness. Indeed, Jesus Christ said, “There is none good but the Father.” Because God is good, “. . . all things work together for the good, to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) So no matter how bad the situation may appear to be, it will work together for the good. When facing what appears to be disappointing aspects in life, we can look to the Word of God and find that those who trust in God will not be disappointed.
The Psalmist also reminds us that God will not let those who trust Him to be disappointed
Psalm 22:5 (AMP):
They cried to You and were delivered; they trusted in, leaned on, and confidently relied on You, and were not ashamed or confounded or disappointed.
Paul reiterates this point:
Romans 10:11(AMP):
The Scripture says, No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed. AMP
Above all, we must remember this:
Numbers 23:19 (KJV):
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
In our relationships with others we may encounter countless broken promises, resulting in in “negative expectancy disconfirmation” whereas in our relationship with our heavenly Father we receive boundless promises fulfilled, yielding “positive expectancy confirmation.” As believers our souls are anchored in hope, which has been defined as “expectation of a future good,” which is confirmed in Titus 1:2:
In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began
We conclude with Chris Tomlin who sums it all up with “Yes and Amen”:
Instead of the usual Verse of the Day for January 19, 2017, we want to take a look at a Word of the Day, as we make a slight variation and transform the word “disappointment” from place of discontentment into a positive state of acceptance just by changing a single letter. The word is “disappointment” is defined as “a feeling of dissatisfaction, the emotion felt when a strongly held anticipation is not fulfilled.” As we go about our daily lives, all of us have experienced disappointment to some degree. We must recognize, however, that disappointments occurred when situations have not turned out the way we thought they would. In actuality, our disappointments – every one of them – come from the “add-ons” we attach, those things God never promised but which we add to God’s promises. In every situation whereby we might feel disappointed, we need to focus on the Word of God, and be grateful for the promises that we have rather than dwelling on what we do not have, which ultimately leads to being disappointed:
2 Peter 1:4(NKJV) reminds of the vast reservoir of God’s pledges:
by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2 Corinthians 1:20(NKJV)
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
We must continually look to God and to those exceedingly great and precious promises in His Word. As we do this we recognize that God does not disappoint nor fail to fulfill His promises. No, He does not prevent hopes or expectations from being realized, which is how we define the verb to “disappoint.” One is said to be “disappointed” or sad or displeased because one’s own hopes or expectations have not been fulfilled.
We cannot hold onto any feelings of being disappointed! In reality, feelings of disappointments consist of our hopes and expectations. Disappointments come when God does not come through at the time that we “expect” Him to nor in the way we “expect” Him to. Disappointment is the result of “failed expectations” on our part. The late Kim Clement spoke of the “power of presuppositions.” He goes on to say that “Presupposition is an enemy to destiny. . . .” We may sense that God has failed when our lives fail to unfold according to our prescribed patterns and plans, as expressed in this poem:
Presupposition: Enemy to Destiny
“Known to God from eternity are all His works.”
Acts 15:18
“Presupposition is an enemy to destiny. . . .”
Kim Clement
Prophetic words that God desires to bring to pass
Wither as unripened fruit that fails to mature,
As our lives seem to diminish from gold to brass.
In the midst of changing times, of this we must be sure:
“Presupposition is an enemy to destiny.”
Our failed expectations shipwreck us and distort
Our view of the place where we thought that we would be,
As we accept what appears to be the last resort.
Though this downward spiral plummets to depths of despair,
We trust our all-wise Father who makes no mistakes,
For God heals broken lives that seem beyond repair
With exquisite beauty that fills all that He makes.
Known to God are all His works from eternity:
His perfect will unfolds to those with eyes to see.
We must remember that there is no failure in God, for God is good. The very essence of God is goodness. Indeed, Jesus Christ said, “There is none good but the Father.” Because God is good, “. . . all things work together for the good, to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) So no matter how bad the situation may appear to be, it will work together for the good. When facing what appears to be disappointing aspects in life, we can look to the Word of God and find that those who trust in God will not be disappointed.
The Psalmist also reminds us that God will not let those who trust Him to be disappointed
Psalm 22:5 (AMP):
They cried to You and were delivered; they trusted in, leaned on, and confidently relied on You, and were not ashamed or confounded or disappointed.
Paul reiterates this point:
Romans 10:11(AMP):
The Scripture says, No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed.
Above all, we must remember this:
Numbers 23:19(KJV):
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Proverbs 23:18 (AMP) reminds us:
For surely there is a latter end [a future and a reward], and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) also reminds us God’s concern for our future or “final outcome”:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
The Amplified Bible expresses this truth this way:
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
Edith Lillian Young has found a simple way of countering disappointment simply by making a small change which can result in a big change in our attitude toward this particular “deadly emotion.”
Disappointment
“Disappointment – His appointment,”
Change one letter, then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God’s better choice for me.
His appointment must be a blessing,
though it may come in disguise,
for the end from the beginning
open to His wisdom lies.
“Disappointment – His appointment,”
Whose? The Lord, who loves me best,
Understands and knows me fully,
Who my faith and love would test;
For, like a loving earthly parent,
He rejoices when He knows
That His child accepts, unquestioned,
All that from His wisdom flows.
“Disappointment – His appointment,”
“No good thing will He withhold,”
From denials oft we gather
Treasures of His love untold,
Well He knows each broken purpose
Leads to fuller, deeper trust,
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just.
“Disappointment – His appointment,”
Lord, I take it, then, as such.
Like the clay in hands of potter,
Yielding wholly to Thy touch.
All my life’s plan is Thy molding,
Not one single choice be mine;
Let me answer, unrepining –
“Father, not my will, but Thine.”
Phil Keaggy offers a musical rendition of these lyrics:
Dr. J's Apothecary Shoppe 