Lent Guide 2023নমুনা

Monday – A bigger story

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!”

Genesis 28:16

In Jacob’s story, he works his whole life to get his father’s blessing. Finally, he dupes his father to gets what he wants, and the effect of that is tragic. His brother wants to kill him. He has to flee. He has to flee for his life. He lives with shame. He lives with guilt. He lives with resentment. He lives in fear.

I can just imagine what thoughts would be going through his head: “Why is this happening to me? What did I do? I’m just trying my best. I mean, there was a prophetic word that the elder would serve the younger, even before I was born. And what should I do? How should I go about gaining a better life, to be able to function in this family, to have a future? Nothing ever works out for me.”

In that situation, in that place, God comes to him. God speaks to him. He affirms the promise he made to his grandfather, Abraham, and He says to him: “What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”

When I think my life is over, is when God invites me to a bigger story. I can only see a part of the story. He is busy with something more.

Think about a time when you were dealing with resentment about a decision you had made.

What was the effect of that decision on your life?

In which ways did things turn around?

Talk to God about it.

Grace:

Lord, give me the grace of freedom from resentment.