Never Expected to See

It is true that most of us face disappointment with God in our lives. This happens when our expectations are not met and our prayers seem to go unanswered. As a result some of us become very negative in our attitude towards God.

Jacob was man who faced difficulties and hardships in life. Though he had God’s promise to bless him (Genesis 28:13-15), he went through real tough times in his family life and work as well. He was heartbroken when the blood-stained robe of his young son Joseph was brought to him (Genesis 37:35). At a later date when he understood that to get more food he would have to sent his youngest son Benjamin to Egypt, he said, “Everything is against me” (Genesis 42:36)!

So often in life we too get discouraged in our walk with God. And we are also quick to say, “Everything is against me!” Little do we know how God can turn the worst situations around and make it all work together for our good (Romans 8:28). This is what we see happen in the life of Jacob. He too went down to Egypt and saw his lost son Joseph and was happily reunited with him and his family.

And then it was time for him to die. So Joseph took his two sons to Jacob to get his blessing before he died. It was then that Jacob said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too” (Genesis 48:11). At the end of his life’s journey Jacob by God’s grace and mercy was granted this double blessing. It surpassed his expectations and really turned around his disappointments too.

Dear child of God, life might not have seemed fair to you. What you expected from God might not have come your way. You might have been disappointed. Perhaps situations had become so bad that you said, “Everything is against me!” Nothing to be ashamed about for many saints of God have felt like this. Yet they walked with God and continued to trust in him. See the lovely picture of Jacob (Israel) worshipping God as he leaned on the top of his staff in his old age (Genesis 47:31). The Bible declared this to be an act of faith (Hebrews 11:21). Like Jacob, continue to trust God and worship him in spite of your disappointments with God.

Then, someday, God will cause you to see the unexpected. And he’ll add something more to give your heart joy. Cheer up, God is not against us. He is for us (Romans 8:31, 32) and with us (Matthew 1:23). Do not think that bad circumstances in life will have the final win. No, not at all. Wait a little longer, God will do the unexpected for you too.

 

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