“She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children.”
Genesis 29:35 NIV
Happy new week family. May you week be filled with testimonies! Let’s get into it.
Perhaps this time Leah had given up on winning Jacob’s affection. She shifted her focus from Jacob to God. Although previously, God had been blessing her with children, she did not acknowledge Him, just blinded by her great desire to be seen by her husband. Maybe sometimes we desire so much to be accepted that we no longer see the blessing and give glory to God . Instead, we use the blessing to feel and look important so that those who took us for granted regret it. Weaponising the blessing.
Never allow another person to determine your worth. Why? Because they are horrible at it and it is not their job. Your worth is not determined by the man who promised to give you the world and only gave you problems plus heartbreak. Double dose. Your worth is not determined by what you earn or how much you have to your name. No! Not even the girl who keeps comparing you to other men because at the moment things are not going so well. Yesterday my spiritual father said something that changed something in me, “Only God completes me” not marriage, a car, a house. This mindset will stop us from idolising people and things.
Christians need to spend less time worrying about what other people think about us and more time rejoicing in what God thinks about us. With all her three sons, Leah is complaining. She’s desperate. She’s longing to be seen and heard. She’s seeking attention. We turn blessings into opportunities to offer complaints instead of praise. What you are complaining about right now, someone is crying themselves to sleep because they really want it. Remember thus far we haven’t heard that Rachel the other sister also gave birth. You have an opportunity to go to school but you’re complaining about how you wish it had been Harvard! My dhiye! Leah you have a womb that keeps popping healthy sons, you have a husband even though he’s half present. Pause and learn to be grateful. You’re more focused on Jacob than God.
Many of us have turned blessing into acts of pity. We downplay the fact that God has shown us love and we take that which is to be a sign of Gods love to turn it into a pity show. “I know I have a new car but I’m so sad because such and such a friend didn’t congratulate me. At work nobody posted me to celebrate me.” Leah had been that person until she reached a turning point.
She must’ve realised what I’m waiting for is not coming. He’ll never love me the way I want to be loved. I think the best part of this is the birth of Judah. Judah means praise! At this point her heart somewhat accepted. Yes I have been rejected but I still have a life, I must keep living. Rejection will not steal my joy. Rejection will not silence my praise. Yes, he won’t marry you anymore but glory be to God. Oh they keep sending emails saying they’re sorry to inform you but you praise! Instead of a pity party, you switch to Judah. Stop thinking it’ll change if you keep calling more or sending more paragraphs my dhiye. Stop making excuses for them. “Oh I’m sure Jacob got busy , he’ll visit.” No he’s with Rachel. Sometimes you’re the rejected one in the friendship circle yet you’re the one who gives more, step aside.
There are people who will rejoice to have you. That’s how special you are. Don’t allow rejection to make you forget that you are a treasure too. Leah might’ve had weak eyes but she was a travailing woman. And our greatest blessings , our salvation, our redemption came from Judah’s descendant, Jesus. When you switch from bitterness to praise! Our Jesus is in the lineage of Judah. He is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah! May God use your praise to orchestrate divine favour!
So what if they rejected you!? Enough is enough. Switch to Judah!
“Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: “ ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;”
Mark 12:10 NIV