Find Fulfillment in the Lord

Note from today’s Bible reading: Genesis 26-29

Through a tragic and shameful series of events, Jacob was deceived into marrying the sister of the woman he loved (Genesis 29:21-25). After confronting his father-in-law, he was also given Rachel as his wife (Genesis 29:28).

It is not surprising that this arrangement – which was contrary to God’s plan for marriage – resulted in conflict and strife between the two sisters. Leah, the first sister Jacob married, was “unloved” (Genesis 29:31), as Rachel was clearly his favorite.

However, Leah was the one who was able to bear children and not Rachel. As her first three sons were born, she expressed hope each time that “surely now [her] husband will love [her]” (Genesis 29:32) or “become attached to [her]” (Genesis 29:34). She was missing the attention and affection of her husband and hoped that he might have a change of heart toward her.

When her fourth son was born, Leah said, “This time I will praise the Lord” (Genesis 29:35). Rather than focus on what she was missing, she focused on the goodness of God. As we experience unfair treatment, unjust circumstances, and unequal outcomes for our efforts, we need to recognize that God is still worthy of praise and that whatever we have is sufficient because they are blessings from Him.

So find fulfillment in the Lord. Our situation in life will never be what we would like it to be. Yet despite whatever fairness we experience, we need to learn that God is still good and continues to bless us abundantly.