January 14 Readings: Genesis 29:31–30:43, Matthew 10, Psalm 9:4–10, Proverbs 2:1–2

Links to Today's Readings: Genesis 29:31–30:43, Matthew 10, Psalm9:4–10, Proverbs 2:1–2

Genesis 29:31-35 tells an amazing story of spiritual progress in the life of poor Leah. Leah was Rachel's ugly sister. She was only married to Jacob because her father tricked Jacob into the deal. If he wanted beautiful Rachel, he had to take Leah first.

She was married to a man who did not want her. She cried out for love but never received it. In that day, a woman's value was often gained through the act of bearing children, especially sons. And while Rachel was loved and she was pretty, she was barren. Leah was winning the battle to bear sons to Jacob.

Her hope was that by giving him the sons he wanted, she would earn his love, his affection, his heart. The names of her children bear witness to her desire for love and acceptance. First came Reuben. His name meant affliction, and she thought that God had seen her affliction and rewarded her with a son so that she could win her husband's love. Then came Simeon, which is from the root word "hear." God had, she believed heard her cries and seen that she was unloved. Surely, this second son would change that. But alas, no. So along came the third son, Levi, which means "attached." Now, surely, Jacob would become attached to her after bearing three sons to him.

But it did not work. She remained unloved; his heart was still captured by Rachel's beauty.

When a fourth son came along, Leah did something healthy for the first time. She sought her approval, her love, her hope not in man or man's opinion, but in God. She named son #4 Judah, which means "praise." She was no longer going to look to Jacob, but she would seek God.

We are called to love and to serve people, but we must find our being in God. He is the one who gave his Son for our sins. He is the one who showed eternal love for us. He is the source of life and hope and joy and peace. God and God alone!

When you derive your worth or your happiness from others, from whether they love you or how they treat you, life will be a roller coaster. But when you seek God above all, you will find security and love that nothing on this earth can shake.

Lord, forgive me for so often operating on the basis of how people treat me, whether people like me, what people will think about me. Help me to live a "Judah" life - for the praise of your glory alone!