Press the arrow to listen to Third Day sing “Run to You” while reading today’s devotion about disappointment. The lyrics tell Jacob’s story.
Scripture
When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” Genesis 29:25
Observation
Jacob was a fine one to ask why someone had deceived him. After all, his name meant “swindler” and he had just cheated his brother out of a lifetime of happiness.
But Jacob didn’t see that dark side of his life yet. That insight would come later, after more crippling injustice. At that early point in his life, Jacob saw himself as the centre of things. In his mind, he was special and any inconvenience was unfair treatment for one who deserved better things.
Jacob could argue that he had prayed at the start of his journey for God to be with him. And if he prayed, shouldn’t that mean that all would go well for him? The answer was an obvious, “No!” We are often victims of our ideals when we pray. It is not just that we experience injustice and disappointment but that we had expected better treatment.
In his message yesterday, Pastor Brady asked us, “Can God answer our prayers with disappointment in order to lead us to greater things?” The answer of course is yes. Prayer is all about leading us out of our perspective and into God’s point of view through the doorway of disappointment. Jacob’s scheming and conniving would be confronted until we last see him as an old limping man crossing his arms to bless his grandsons. Prayer, disappointment and blessing changed him for the better.
Application
Like Jacob, I’m often surprised when God answers my prayers with disappointment. I too am proud like Jacob and expect preferential treatment. But the hope is that this disappointment will lead to greater things. Through the doorway of disillusionment, I can find an outlook on God’s view. Life is ever so much better from that vantage point. I must brave disappointment when it comes and with a game face press through to better things on the other side. For surely better things are there. I have only to limp on. It is only when I get over the sense of specialness and welcome disappointment that I can receive the undeserved kindnesses of God.
Prayer
Father, there is ever so much in my life that I need to have reinterpreted by you to me. Make doorways of my disappointments and show me better things that are yet to be. Help me not to be surprised by injustice. Let my faith in you be strong enough to see that you may offend me to bless me. I receive that. Amen.
