And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” (Exodus 16:2,3 ESV)
Disappointment and Faith
My favorite part of the US Declaration of Independence is not the part I memorized in Middle School. Students used to memorize lines like, “when in the course of human events,” and “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” But I liked best the grievances. After Thomas Jefferson and the gathered delegates described what the thirteen colonies were doing, the document lists the reasons the British government was tyrannical. Many Americans remember the complaint about “taxation without representation,” but the Declaration of Independence lists twenty-seven acts of Tyranny.
They complained. And while this event is celebrated as our declaration of independence, it might still be considered an act of faith. Not much faith, perhaps. Merely a dusty remnant of faith. But still faith. Because complaints have at their core an awareness that the complaint might work.
The Declarers remembered many years of good British government and believed that it was still possible that British goodness could return. And believing today because of the actions and events of the past is the essence of faith.
The Israelites are justly criticized for complaining in the wilderness. God had amazingly given them freedom from slavery and Egyptian oppression. But very soon they started complaining. Fourteen times God heard them complain. And we shake our heads and wonder at their lack of gratitude, understanding, and devotion.
But in their complaint, perhaps those pesky Israelites were displaying faith.
They heard what Moses and Aaron said about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And they believed, following God into the unknown. When things out there did not match their expectations, they were disappointed.
And in their disappointment, they expressed faith by turning to the One who could actually help. Even the way they asked, while whiny and childish, demonstrates faith. They remembered the past and believed that God could help. And so they asked.
Our disappointments mirror the disappointments of the Israelites and the founding fathers. Our grievances and difficulties are much like theirs. Our method of complaint probably falls somewhere between the grumbling of the Israelites and the well-articulated legal action of the declarers-of-independence, but our disappointment still is an opportunity for faith.
Unfulfilled expectations that lead to disappointment can lead to faith. Knowing that God has helped previously, we ask Him now for help. Remembering that God has been kind, merciful, and loving in the past, we trust that He will be kind, merciful, and loving today. Believing that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the Jesus who hears our prayers is exactly what faith is.
So consider your expectations that have led to disappointments. And tell them to God. Trust Him enough to tell Him what hurts. Believe that the God of yesterday is still the God of today.
Take the faith God grants us.