All I could do was acknowledge my
idolatrous heart before God,
ask Him to reorder my affections, and trust that He would provide the right person
for me.
- P153
Thankfully, there is a happy ending to this story. The bursting feeling of love I get
whenever I see my wife is the best feeling in the world.
- P153
But she and I both know that we can only
love each other well when we are first
shaped by God‘s perfect love. The secure
love of Christ protects and preserves the
imperfect love between husband and wife.
- P153
The most romantic thing we can do for
each other is to put God first. - P153
Lord, I confess that I have pursued idols to find fulfillment and purpose. - P153
I proclaim that You are the fountain of all
my desires and ask that You destroy
the power of idolatry in my life. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P153
[NIV] 31 When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved,
he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless. - P154
32 Leah became pregnant and gavebirth to a son. Shenamed him Reuben, for she said, "It is because the LORDhas seen my misery. Surely my husband will love menow."
- P154
33 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to ason she said, "Because the LORD heard that I am notloved, hegave me thisSimeon.
one too." So she named him Simeon. - P154
34 Again she conceived, and when she gave birth toa son she said, "Now at last my husband will become
attached to me, because I have borne him three sons."
So he was named Levi. - P155
35 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to ason she said, "This time I will praise the LORD." So shenamed him Judah. Then she stopped having children. - P155
Imagine being Leah, whose younger sister attracts the gaze of every manwhile she is married off by her father to a man who has no interest inher. - P156
The Lord sees Leah‘s misery, so He blesses her with a child. - P156
When Leah gives birth to Reuben, she
acknowledges God but is still desperate
for her husband‘s affection. - P156
Amid the heartbreak of rejection and
loneliness, we can sometimes feel that God‘s love is not enough. - P156
It is onlynatural that we crave
companionship and care from others
because God created us for relationship. - P156
But no one can love us like God can. - P156
Whenwe feel unwanted or unloved, let us draw near to our Father in heaven
who calls us precious in His sight. - P156
During Old Testament times, a woman‘s worth was largely based on her ability to
have children. - P156
Therefore, Leah places her hope in this ability-which her younger sister Rachel
lacks-to win Jacob‘s affection. - P156
Yet each time she gives Jacob a son,
she is disappointed because he still doesnot love her. - P156
It is only when she gives birth to Judah
that she shifts her focus from her unloving
husband to her faithful God and praises
Himfor all He has done for her. - P156
Like Leah, we are often blind to God‘s giftsbecause we can only see what we lack. - P156
But when we take the time to praise Him
for what we have, our hearts will be satisfied, knowing thatHe is the true source of
our joy. - P156
|