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What does it mean to be disappointed? The prophet Isaiah must have felt disappointment when King Uzziah died. Uzziah was a great king. According to author Joan Comay in her book Who’s Who in the Old Testament,
“During Uzziah’s long reign, Judah enjoyed greater military prowess and material progress than it had done for generations.”
The author also noted that King Uzziah’s diplomacy with the northern kingdom of Israel also resulted in military success:
“The two Hebrew states together controlled an area roughly corresponding to that of King David’s empire of two centuries earlier”
But at the height of King Uzziah’s reign, he attempted to perform the duty of the priest, and God struck him with leprosy. (See 2 Chronicles 26:16 – 21 (NIV), we highlight verses 21 and 23 below):
21. ‘King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house —leprous, and banned from the temple of the Lord. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land. ‘
23. ‘Uzziah rested with his ancestors and was buried near them in a cemetery that belonged to the kings, for people said, “He had leprosy.” And Jotham his son succeeded him as king.’
This was quite a turn of events for the people and the Nation of Israel. But sometimes God uses great disappointment to show us Himself. This is the case with the prophet Isaiah because he saw God! Isaiah 6:1-5 (NIV).
”In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”
In the Eerdman’s Handbook to the Bible, the remainder of Chapter 6 of Isaiah is described:
“The knowledge that he (Isaiah) had seen God with his own eyes, experienced his forgiveness and been sent out in God’s service would sustain him all his life. And he would need it: for God sent him to a nation deaf and blind to his entreaties.”
In my own testimony, I can say that God has used disappointment in my life to bring me to a place of empathy for people that have previously hurt me. Empathy requires forgiveness, and the willingness to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes. God has also used disappointment in my life to prepare me for situations that I never imagined I needed to be prepared for. He has done this by changing my circumstances, and by bringing people into my life that I can trust.
In my disappointment, God brought people to me that showed me how to be a faithful servant. One of those mentors was Elder Helen McNeil.She taught me a lot about how to faithfully serve God throughout tough circumstances. Just like the prophet Isaiah, Elder McNeil’s ministry was characterized by a willingness to hear from God, and to proclaim God’s Word to the world. Elder McNeil, a profound and unique lifelong learner who earned her master’s degree after recovering from a stroke, taught me to ask these questions:
- “What do I know?
- What do I need to know?
- How am I going to learn it?”
Students of history will know the story of General Douglas MacArthur. Douglas MacArthur’s forces were forced to retreat to Bataan and surrender during World War 2. General MacArthur was evacuated to Australia, with the famous quote “I came through and I shall return”. And he did. But what might not be so well known is the prayer of his father Arthur MacArthur Jr. (who was also a Medal of Honor recipient like Gen.MacArthur). This prayer was quoted by Herbert V. Prochnow, in his book: A Treasury of Stories, Illustrations, Epigrams and Quotations:
General MacArthur’s Father’s Prayer
“Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid;”
Disappointments were the beginning of a new plateau of Isaiah’s calling as a prophet. Similarly, God can turn your disappointments into breakthroughs. Use this chance to think differently about how God has used disappointment to equip you with people to help you, and the circumstances that empower you for your life.
We Love You,
Pastors Willie and Rochelle McIntosh
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