Trusting God Through Broken Dreams and Surrender

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God When Dreams Die

When life doesn't go as planned and dreams fall apart, it's easy to feel lost, angry, or even betrayed by God. Yet, in the story of David fleeing from Absalom, we see a man who, despite his heartbreak and confusion, chooses to trust God rather than take matters into his own hands. David's willingness to surrender his hopes and future to God's will, even when everything seemed hopeless, is a powerful example for us. In moments when your plans unravel, you can choose to trust that God is still present and working, even if you don't understand how. [48:43]

2 Samuel 15:25-26 (ESV)
Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place. But if he says, ‘I have no pleasure in you,’ behold, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where your plans have fallen apart? Can you pray today, “God, do to me whatever seems good to you,” and truly surrender that area to Him?

Day 2: Faith Not Based on Fulfilled Dreams

David did not base his faith in God on whether his dreams or expectations were fulfilled; instead, he trusted God’s character and sovereignty, even when his life took a painful turn. It's tempting to believe that faithfulness should guarantee our desired outcomes, but true faith persists even when prayers seem unanswered and dreams remain unfulfilled. God invites us to trust Him not for what He gives, but for who He is—faithful, loving, and wise beyond our understanding. [50:02]

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Reflection: When have you been tempted to give up on God because your dreams didn’t come true? How can you shift your faith from outcomes to trusting in God’s unchanging character today?

Day 3: God’s Presence Is Greater Than Our Plans

David realized that God’s presence was not a tool to guarantee his own success, but something sacred to be honored above his personal desires. By sending the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, David acknowledged that God’s will and presence mattered more than his own comfort or victory. In our own lives, we are called to seek God’s presence and honor His ways, even when it means letting go of our own agendas. [48:05]

Psalm 84:10 (ESV)
For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Reflection: Is there a way you’ve tried to use God to achieve your own plans? What would it look like to honor His presence above your own desires this week?

Day 4: Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love

Even in the midst of pain, loss, and shattered dreams, God’s love remains constant and unbreakable. The Apostle Paul reminds us that no hardship, failure, or disappointment can separate us from the love of Christ. This truth gives us hope and courage to keep trusting, knowing that God is working for our good, even when we cannot see it. [58:49]

Romans 8:28, 35, 37-39 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection: What disappointment or pain are you facing right now? How does knowing that nothing can separate you from God’s love change the way you respond to it today?

Day 5: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice and Renewing Our Hope

Communion is a sacred reminder that our hope, forgiveness, and future are anchored in Jesus’ sacrifice, not in our circumstances. As we remember Christ’s body broken and His blood shed for us, we are invited to examine our hearts, confess our failures, and renew our trust in Him. No matter what we face, we are people of hope, redeemed by His love and sent out to share it with others. [01:02:25]

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (ESV)
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Reflection: As you remember Christ’s sacrifice today, what is one area where you need to renew your hope and trust in Him? How can you live as a person of hope this week?

Sermon Summary

Life rarely unfolds according to our carefully laid plans. Sometimes, the dreams we cherish most—about our families, careers, or futures—fall apart in ways that leave us feeling lost, angry, or even betrayed by God. The story of King David and his son Absalom is a powerful reminder of this reality. David, who had a promise from God that one of his sons would inherit the throne, watched as his family unraveled through tragedy, betrayal, and violence. The son he loved most turned against him, and David was forced to flee his own city, his dreams in ruins.

In moments like these, it’s tempting to believe that God has failed us or to take matters into our own hands. We may feel justified in abandoning faithfulness, thinking, “If this is what I get for trusting God, I’ll do things my way.” But David’s response was radically different. When given the chance to take the Ark of the Covenant—the symbol of God’s presence—with him into exile, David instead sent it back to Jerusalem. He surrendered his plans, his dreams, and even his understanding of how God’s promises should be fulfilled, saying, “Let him do to me whatever seems good to him.”

This posture of surrender is not resignation or defeat. It is a deep trust in God’s wisdom and love, even when life makes no sense. David didn’t base his faith on the fulfillment of his dreams or his own ideas about how God should act. He refused to manipulate circumstances to force his own way. Instead, he entrusted his future to God, believing that God’s plan—though mysterious and often painful—was ultimately good.

We are invited to do the same. When our dreams die, we can choose bitterness, self-reliance, or despair. Or, like David, we can say, “God, I don’t understand, but I trust you. Do to me what seems good to you.” This is the faith that sustains us through loss and disappointment. It’s the faith that remembers nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. As we remember Christ’s sacrifice through communion, we are reminded that God’s love is steadfast, his plans are good, and our hope is secure in him.

Key Takeaways

1. Surrendering Broken Dreams to God When life shatters our dreams, the most faithful response is not to seize control or abandon hope, but to surrender our plans to God. David’s willingness to let God “do whatever seems good to him” models a trust that transcends circumstances. True faith is not measured by the fulfillment of our desires, but by our willingness to trust God’s wisdom above our own understanding. [48:43]
2. Faith Not Dependent on Outcomes David did not anchor his faith to the success of his plans or the fulfillment of his dreams. He recognized that God’s faithfulness is not proven by the realization of our expectations, but by his unchanging presence and love. When our prayers seem unanswered, we are called to trust that God’s goodness is not diminished by our disappointments. [50:02]
3. Avoiding the Trap of Self-Reliance In the face of loss, it’s tempting to take matters into our own hands, believing we can fix what’s broken or force God’s promises to come true our way. David resisted this urge, refusing to manipulate circumstances or cling to symbols of God’s favor. Instead, he entrusted the outcome to God, demonstrating that surrender is not weakness, but the path to true peace. [52:48]
4. God’s Promises Are Not Always Fulfilled Our Way We often assume we know how God should fulfill his promises—health, success, happy families, and long life. But God’s ways are higher than ours, and his plans often unfold in ways we cannot predict or control. David’s story reminds us that our understanding of God’s promises must be held with humility, trusting that his timing and methods are always best, even when they differ from our own. [52:00]
5. Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love Even in the darkest moments, when everything seems lost, God’s love remains constant. Paul’s words in Romans assure us that neither loss, pain, nor disappointment can separate us from the love of God in Christ. This unbreakable love is our anchor, giving us hope and courage to trust God with our future, no matter what we face.

** [58:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:59] - When Plans Go Wrong
[35:40] - The Pain of Broken Dreams
[36:08] - David’s Family Tragedy
[40:27] - Absalom’s Manipulation
[41:24] - Winning the Hearts of Israel
[41:57] - Absalom’s Conspiracy
[42:57] - David’s Impossible Choices
[43:31] - The King’s Departure and Grief
[44:33] - Wrestling with God in Disappointment
[45:21] - The Temptation to Take Control
[46:39] - The Ark of the Covenant and God’s Presence
[48:05] - David’s Surrender: “Let God Do What Seems Good”
[52:00] - Trusting God’s Promises Beyond Our Understanding
[53:39] - Personal Story of Surrender
[56:47] - Faith That Endures Loss
[58:49] - Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love
[59:57] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
[66:12] - Closing Prayer and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1. 2 Samuel 15:1-29 (ESV) — The story of Absalom’s conspiracy and David’s response, including David’s decision to send the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem.

2. Romans 8:35-39 (ESV) — 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Observation Questions

What actions did Absalom take to win the hearts of the people of Israel away from David? (2 Samuel 15:1-6; [40:27])
When David was forced to flee Jerusalem, what did he instruct the priests to do with the Ark of the Covenant, and what reason did he give? (2 Samuel 15:25-26; [48:05])
According to Romans 8:35-39, what are some of the things Paul says cannot separate us from the love of God?
In the sermon, what were some of the specific disappointments or broken dreams mentioned that people might face? ([35:40])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think David chose to send the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem instead of taking it with him? What does this reveal about his trust in God? ([48:05])
The sermon says David didn’t base his faith on the fulfillment of his dreams or his own ideas about how God should act. Why is this significant for us when we face disappointment? ([50:02])
Paul says that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. How might this truth help someone who feels abandoned or let down by God? (Romans 8:35-39; [58:49])
The sermon describes the temptation to take matters into our own hands when life doesn’t go as planned. What are some ways people might try to “fix” things themselves, and what are the dangers of this approach? ([45:21])

Application Questions

Think about a time when your plans or dreams fell apart. How did you respond? Did you try to take control, or did you surrender the situation to God? What was the outcome? ([45:21])
David’s prayer was, “Let him do to me whatever seems good to him.” Is there an area of your life right now where you need to pray this prayer? What would it look like to truly surrender that to God? ([48:43])
The sermon warns against basing our faith on the fulfillment of our dreams. Are there any expectations or dreams you have that you need to hold more loosely before God? How can you practice trusting God’s wisdom above your own understanding? ([50:02])
When you face disappointment, do you tend to become bitter, self-reliant, or despairing? What would it look like to choose trust and surrender instead? ([45:21])
The story of David and Absalom shows that God’s promises are not always fulfilled in the way we expect. How can you remind yourself to trust God’s timing and methods, especially when things don’t make sense? ([52:00])
Romans 8:35-39 says nothing can separate us from God’s love. When you feel distant from God because of pain or loss, what practical steps can you take to remember and experience his love? ([58:49])
Communion is a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and God’s steadfast love. How does regularly remembering Jesus’ sacrifice help you trust God with your future, even when your dreams are broken? ([59:57])

Sermon Clips

When dreams die, too many people decide to break the rules and do what they want. And their thought is, if this is what I get for being faithful, if this is the reward, then I'm done. Wait for the right guy. Now your friends are married, and you're still waiting. faithful to your spouse, and now your spouse is unfaithful. You were honest at work and stood for integrity, and you got fired anyway. You tithe, you give to missions, but your business still failed, and you lost your job. You told the truth, and they lied, and everyone believed the lie. You did your best, and your best wasn't good enough. Decide what's the point. This isn't getting me anywhere. God, if you can't do better than this, then I'm taking over. [00:45:26] (55 seconds) #TrustingGodsPresence

David told the priest, take the Ark of God back. If I find favor in the Lord's eyes, he will bring me back, and let me see it in his dwelling place again. But if he says, I'm not pleased with you, I'm ready. I want you to notice David's next phrase. Let him do to me whatever seems good to him. That's the key. That's how you respond when your dreams have died. [00:48:11] (36 seconds) #TrustingGodsUnfoldingPlan

``David said to God, here are my plans. Here are my hopes. Here are my dreams. This is my vision. What I assumed you wanted for my life. Nothing's going the way that I thought it would, but God, I still trust you. Not my will, but your will. Do to me whatever seems good to you. David says, guys, send the box back. I'm putting my hopes and dreams and my life in God's hands. [00:48:59] (31 seconds) #LettingGodControlOutcome

David didn't base his faith in God on the fulfillment of his dreams. He didn't say, if my dream goes away, then my faith does too. If God doesn't answer my prayer the way that I think that he should answer my prayer, then I can't trust him anymore. So he avoided the mistake of basing his faith on his dreams being fulfilled. [00:49:42] (26 seconds) #CommitmentInTheMidstOfFear

Just because David's plan went sideways, he didn't lose faith in God's ability to fulfill his promise. So God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. Here's how you expect that to look. So if God's not going to leave or forsake me, that means I'm going to be healthy, live a long life, wonderful spouse. My kids will be healthy. My marriage will stay together. I'm very successful at my job always. Comfortable retirement. Enough money that I can afford to vacation anywhere I want. Healthy and pain -free until I'm 85. I have my 85th birthday. I'm going to die a peaceful death in my sleep and go right to glory. It's going to be great. And that's how you want God to never leave or forsake you. You have opinions about how God should fulfill his promise. And it's a mistake and a prideful one to assume that your understanding of God carrying out in your life is the right way and that your timetable is his timetable. [00:51:13] (71 seconds) #HonestFaithInHardTimes

David didn't confuse his thoughts about God's plans with God's plan. The third mistake that David avoided. He didn't take matters into his own hand and try to make everything happen his way. He looked through the ark and said, well, let God do what he wants to do. He controls the outcome, not us. And he sent the ark back to Jerusalem. And some of you are thinking, well, that to me sounds like giving up. That's like saying whatever. It's not that at all. Pray for God to give you a vision for your life, for your marriage, your relationships, finances, ministry, future, all those things. And you go after it with everything you've got. But through it all, your prayer should be, God, this is what I'm going for. But bottom line, you do to me what you think is best. Not my will, but your will be done. [00:52:24] (65 seconds) #TrustingGodWithoutUnderstanding

Choose to say, God, I hate this. It's okay to say that. I hate this that I'm going through this. This isn't what I hoped and dreamed. It doesn't make sense. But I'm not going to turn my back on you because I know where that leads. Do to me what seems good to you. I trust you, God. That is not giving up. That's having faith and trust and a loving heavenly father who knows what's best for you. You're saying and praying, God, even though I don't understand it, even though it's not what I would have designed, I accept it and I trust you. [00:56:19] (50 seconds) #CommunionOfHopeAndTrust

So see, even when you don't see or understand the pain, even when it seems like everything's falling apart, God is fighting for you. Nothing can separate you from his love, the love demonstrated on the cross. [00:59:10] (21 seconds)

So if your dreams have died, I want to remind you that God still has a plan for you. You can trust him. He loves you so much that he sent his son to die for you. He has a plan and a purpose for us. [00:59:31] (20 seconds)

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