Advent DevotionalSample

The Story of Jacob, Rachel, & Leah

Have you ever been disappointed? Maybe you didn’t get the job you were hoping for, or your plans didn’t go as expected, or a friend let you down.

It’s not that hard to come up with moments in our lives when we’ve been disappointed. We’ve all had setbacks, hurts, challenges, and disappointments. In the middle of them, it’s easy to ask the question, “does God even see me?”

Today’s advent reading tells us the story of Leah. She was the older sister to Rachel and the daughter of Laban. One day, a traveler named Jacob (yep, that Jacob!) came to Leah’s house and fell in love with Rachel. He began working for Laban to marry her. They agreed that Jacob would work for 7 years, then he would be free to wed Rachel. When 7 years passed and their agreement came to fruition, Laban tricked Jacob into marrying Leah instead. Jacob was disappointed and worked another 7 years to marry Rachel. So, he was married to both women and Leah was left disappointed because Jacob’s love for Rachel was greater.

Leah saw the love between Rachel and Jacob, but she was left out of it. Jacob didn’t love her or care for her. But God saw Leah.

It’s easy for us, in our disappointment, to wonder if God sees us, loves us, or cares for us. Let’s make this clear: God sees you! He sees you in a way no one else can. He saw Leah in her disappointment and blessed her. Her blessing was 7 children; one of them being Judah, who was part of Jesus’ lineage. That’s right, in the middle of disappointment, God used Leah’s lineage to give birth to the Savior of the world!

Reflect

If you have experienced disappointments in your past, how has God shown Himself to be faithful in leading you through them? Spend a few moments thanking God for his provision. If you are sitting in a season of disappointment now, do you believe that God sees you? Spend some time talking to God and asking His Holy Spirit for counsel and comfort.

Pray

God, I thank you for the way that you show up in the middle of my disappointments. I know I am not alone and that you see me. I pray for strength in this season. Strength to persevere and strength to trust you. I know you have blessings on the other side of this, but I am asking for your presence now. Take this difficult time in my life and use it for your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.