DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENTS – By Rev Mary Ambuka

GENESIS 29:15-30

After The President’s speech on Saturday 6th June, here in Kenya, this story of Laban, Jacob, Rachel and Leah just came to me a fresh.

Friend, disappointments are part of life. Though devastating, they redirect you and help you make tough and sober decisions, as you persevere just as Jacob did, because of the love he had for Rachel.

Most of the time the people who disappoint us do so like it’s nothing big, like “what’s the fuss’. Yet to you, you were waiting with an abated breathe like it was your life line and everything depend on it.

Jacob had to serve for 7 years to get Rachel and the Bible says, that those 7 years looked like a few days to Jacob because of the Love he had for Rachel, ‘Haki Roho ikipenda’ waaa, 🤔🤔but then later he was duped that night and given Leah instead of the lover of his heart BEAUTIFUL RACHEL! He had to work for 7 more years to get Rachel.

My Case Study

Laban had two daughters. The name of the older one was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel, who is described as beautiful and well favored. Jacob was in love with Rachel, and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” (vss. 17-19, NIV) So Jacob did serve seven years to have Rachel; which seemed to him like only a few days because of the deep love he felt for her.

Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife; for my time is completed.” When evening came, he took his daughter, Leah, and gave her to Jacob. When morning came, there was Leah! Because women were veiled in the Near East, Laban was able to make the switch without Jacob realizing he had been tricked until he and Leah were alone. What a shock of disappointment to Jacob!

Jacob, challenging Laban, said, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” To which Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.”

Jacob could not believe that Laban so greatly deceived him! What a huge disappointment! But Laban, unmoved, said, “Finish this daughter’s bridal week, then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.” Jacob’s faith, still unshaken, thought it best to accept the situation, even though it was a deep frustration to him. Eventually his patience was rewarded. He fulfilled his commitment to his uncle, and had both daughters as his wives.

The Apostle James catches the enduring essence of this lesson for us in his encouraging statement: “You know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” , James 1:3, NIV

So friend, whatever disappointments you are facing in this season, whether in marriage, financially, family, love life, ministry, socially, politically, business and the list goes on, know that perseverance must finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything!

After serving 7 x 2 years, the Bible says Jacob left the house of Laban with a lot of wealth it had reached a place that the household of Laban were now jealous of Him. How can the master’s House be jealous of a mere servant really? But they were, even Laban started looking at Jacob with ‘ ‘bad eyes’ literally👀 the Bible says because God had blessed Jacob in his perseverance.

So friend, in the disappointment that you have faced, pray then without ceasing, God answers prayers!
In His time He makes things beautiful as you persevere and wait on him. He is the author and the finisher of your faith!

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

Jesus too endured the cross, because of the joy that was set before him. So help us God!

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ABOUT REV MARY AMBUKA

Rev Mary Ambuka is married to Bishop Dr Peter Ambuka. She and her husband are senior ministers at PEFA Church in Kahawa West.

Rev Mary is a Bible and Theology Lecturer at Nairobi Pentecostal Bible College, Garden Estate Campus. She is the president and founder of THE BIG TAG Women Ministry (Beauty In Grace
Touching All Generations) – [BIG TAG]

If you have been touched by the above message, or need any spiritual help or prayer, feel free to contact her on +254 0722 362 075 or
0736 344483Email: Marnjo2008@gmail.com.