Text: Genesis 29:31-35
Memory verse:
”And she conceived again and bore a son and said, “Now I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing.“
Genesis 29:35 NKJV
When you look at yourself, you will become depressed because you will always see some inadequacies in yourself. When you look at others, you will become discouraged because humans are not always what they claim to be. Likewise, when you look at the world, you will be distressed because even the best economy is under distress today. However, when you look up to the Almighty One, you will have rest (Matt 11:28).
Praise is a tool to enter that rest. You enjoy rest when you choose to turn your eyes away from your troubles and look up to God (Isa 26:3).
Leah struggled throughout her marriage to win her husband’s love. So, she named her three sons to reflect her struggles and pains.
Her first son was named Reuben, which means “Behold, a son”. She wanted everyone to know that God had looked upon her affliction and had given her a son. She had hoped that would end the hatred that Jacob had for her. She named the second son, Simeon, meaning “hearing”. She was too convinced that, if the birth of Reuben didn’t make that happen, now, the birth of a second son for Jacob will do it. She was wrong!
She continued her unfruitful struggle to the third son, whom she named Levi, meaning “attachment”. Leah still lived in the hope that her husband would love her and be attached to her, having born three sons to him.
Now, having looked in vain to herself, to her husband, and to people, to provide the love and rest she desperately needed in her marriage, she decided to surrender all and look up to God. Thus, she chose not to reflect her pains, disappointments, and struggles in the name of her fourth son. Instead, she named him Judah, which means, “Praise”.
She didn’t have rest until she decided to surrender to praise God. God turned her trial to testimonies as the two greatest tribes came from her. Levi became the priestly tribe and Judah, the royal tribe. Above all, Jesus descended from the tribe of Judah! Who could have imagined that the Messiah would have His root in such an unloved woman! Complaining will make your case complex! Struggling will snuff life out of you! But praise will promote you!
Friends, stop struggling. Surrender to God and start praising Him and He will turn your trials to testimonies and your pain to praise. Hallelujah!
Prayer points
1. Father, I receive Your help to resign from struggling and to begin to praise You, in Jesus’ name.
2. My Father, please, turn my trials into testimonies as I praise You, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. When I stop struggling to praise God, I permit Him to turn my trials to testimonies.
2. I enjoy rest and peace when I stop looking at myself and others and start looking up to God.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng