Think of a time when you were looking forward to something and then BAM – found out it wasn’t going to happen. Two distinct memories come to the surface for me. Firstly, our daughter’s upcoming wedding has been postponed due to the corona virus. The disappointment I feel is only a fraction of what she and her fiancé must be feeling. My other memory comes from childhood. I had so been looking forward to a family vacation. We were set to meet up with some friends at a lake resort until at the last minute my mom’s doctor put restrictions on her travel. As a teenager who was stuck in the “it’s all about me” phase, I was devastated. My life was ruined!
What about Moses? Can you imagine what Moses must have been feeling when he got the message from God that he would not be seeing the Promised Land for himself? Instead, he’d have to go to Pisgah Peak and get a glimpse from there. That was going to have to do. Talk about a huge disappointment. Think of all that Moses had gone through up to this moment. He was accustomed to dealing with the sniveling Israelites prone to tantrums, the disobedient Israelites ignoring the miracle of God’s provision, the long hours, the sacrifices. It puts our own disappointments into perspective a bit, doesn’t it?
Life goes on. Moses remained faithful and continued to lead his people despite his disappointment. What a great role model for us. But we also see Moses’ pleading heart. Moses wanted desperately to see the land to the west of the Jordan. This had been his goal for the last 40 years. He had to at least try to change God’s mind. We have probably done the same. Have you ever tried to strike up a deal with God to achieve some pleasure or avoid some pain?
Unfortunately for Moses, God did not relent. Moses obeyed. Joshua would take it from here. Joshua would be the next leader the people would follow. Joshua would see the reward. It’s like watching your assistant get the promotion you have been working so hard for, that you expected was the perfect fit for you. But God’s plan played out differently, and Moses accepted it.
When we can’t change an outcome, we do best to accept it. I have my “I can’t change it” rule. If I’m facing a problem or situation that is less than acceptable with NO POSSIBILITY of being changed, I allow myself to wallow in self-pity for 5, maybe 10 minutes, but then I let it go. It does me no good to dwell on something that will never change. However, if there is a way to figure it out and change it, you bet I’m going to be all over getting the job done! There was no “figuring it out” for Moses. It was a done deal. He was not going to cross the Jordan.
Take some time today to process some of the obstacles you are facing. Can you change them? If not…wallow and let them go! It’s so freeing to do it. Simply say, “I can’t change it” and get back to living and being grateful for what God has given you.
Let’s pray … Lord, disappointments are all around me these days. I can’t change many of them. Help me in dealing with the disappointment. Help me to see you working in these circumstances. Reveal to me the beauty of your mercy and grace. No matter how I struggle, help me to feel you holding me close. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
