During the fifteen years that we lived in Europe, we always made an effort to go on vacation. Sometimes, we went during the children's spring break, and always in the summer. In 1973, we decided to go to Romania. In the brochures that I had picked up, we found a resort on the Black Sea that looked good. It was a beachfront hotel, perfect for our children, and the weather was bound to be good.

When we got to the hotel, however, it surely did not look like it did in the brochures. The rooms left a lot to be desired, and the food was mediocre. The meals that they served were mostly the same every day, and there was very little variety. The whole vacation was a very big disappointment, and we were glad to go home again.

The Bible tells of a man who likely had a similar experience with his trip to the holy city of the Jews.

Acts 8:27b – There was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship. (NASB)

I can just imagine how he had been looking forward to his visit, with high expectations. As a foreigner, however, he was not welcome in the inner court of the temple, so he would have felt uncomfortable all the time that he was there. In addition, the city was in turmoil. A man called Stephen had been stoned to death because he refused to recant his faith in a man called Jesus. Many of the followers of this new faith were being persecuted and were leaving the city for Judea and Samaria. Because of the chaos, he may have even felt personally in danger, and the whole trip was probably a big disappointment. But before he went home, he bought the scroll of Isaiah. On the way, he was reading the passage from Isaiah 53, where it says, "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter". He did not understand it, but the Holy Spirit had sent Philip to explain it to him.

Acts 8:35-36 – Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" (NASB)

So, he was baptized right there on the road to Gaza, and he went on his way rejoicing.

Are you, too, disappointed at times, with events at home or perhaps at work, or even in the church? But then so often, we pick up the Bible and read something that truly encourages us that God is still working, even when we can't see it. Christ can give us peace in our hearts, and we, too, can continue on our way home, to our heavenly home, rejoicing!

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we thank You for the wonderful words of Scripture which assure us that even when we are disappointed, You are always with us. We offer this prayer in Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Joel Jongkind <austria67@bmts.com>
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
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