“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever” - Psalm 107:1 (NIV).
Jacob had a desire to marry Rachel whose father, Laban, tasked him to work for a good seven years first. However, once he was done he was in for a huge disappointment. The goal posts suddenly changed. He was presented the older sister Leah in stead. “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work” (Genesis 29:26-27).
One can imagine the feeling of disappointment on the part of Jacob after his expectation. A disappointment has been described as that feeling of “sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one's hopes or expectations.” Whenever you have desired for something badly, only for it to fail to materialize, of course there is a disappointment. Think of a child who anticipated to make a certain grade and go to a preferred school only to be turned down because of his grades or even where so, to be sold to another school!
Life is full of disappointments. A business person may have met all conditions to secure a tender only to be rejected for another bidder. A job applicant can be turned down even after meeting all qualifications. After a promise, one can be disappointed in another person who fails to come through, without a good explanation. A disappointment leaves one ever disenchanted.
How we react to a disappointment is one of the most important thing in life. In Uganda, there was a recent case of a child who failed to score a certain grade and took his life. A disappointment can leave one embittered and brooding. There are those who even lose faith because they believe God has let them down.
Jacob took his disappointment with a positive spirit. Instead of pouting, he let go and agreed to work for another seven years, to have Rachel (vv 30). Having met several setbacks in his tumultuous life, King David wrote, “But I trust in your unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation; I will sing to the Lord for he has been good to me” (Psalm 13: 5-6). Whenever faced with a disappointment, for they always do happen, choose as David did, to remain joyful for God will come through in due season.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, where I encounter disappointment, just like David I look up to you, for my hope is in you, and shall carry me through, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
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11/05/2024 - 12/05/2024 All day“Now God has caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel” (Dan 1:9)
It can be said with certainty everyone in life would like to be favored- especially from God. Favor brings opportunity and comes with blessings. The Bible has many people who were indeed favored and the blessings on their life is clearly evident.
We have Joseph who had favor upon him whether working for Potiphar (Gen 39:5); down in jail (Gen 39:21); and finally being elevated as prime minister of great Egypt. When Abraham was 99 the Lord appeared to him and blessed him, “I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly” (Gen 17:1- 8). Mary was selected among all women as the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:28-33).
Perhaps here one may ask, but how does one receive favor from God?If we may look at the above and other examples of those who were greatly favored by God, like Noah from the Great flood (Genesis 6:8), or Moses to lead the people of Israel (Exodus 33: 12-17), it was not because there was anything remarkably good in these people. Neither was perfect yet God showed favor upon them. The reason is, “For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (Romans 9:15).
A clear characteristic of those who receive favor is humility. Isaiah 66:2 says, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and those who tremble at my word.” As the preacher Charles Spurgeon once wrote, “God shows favor to those who seek his favor by loving Him, respecting Him, honoring Him, and by taking delight in His word.”
We can receive favor by asking God. Psalm 119 says, “I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise” (Psalm 119:58). And God is calling us to have our hearts in tune with Him, for, “the Lord bestows favor and honor, no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless” (Psalm 84:11).Today, pray and walk in that assurance of being favored of the Lord Almighty.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I come to you in humility to ask of your favor to bless me in all that I do, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
