Gratitude Amidst Sorrow

Genesis 29:31-35

By Stewart McCarter, November 21, 2021

Thinking ANYTHING is owed to us blocks us from gratitude.

(Genesis 29:31-35)

  1. WHEN THE UNSEEN IS SEEN (Reuben) (Hebrews 4:13)
    1. Leah is looking to Jacob for acceptance. People want to be noticed, they want to be important to someone. We feel worthless and unnecessary when we have no purpose in our life.
    2. Rachel is not bad, Leah just had a need. God specializes in people with need!
    3. Reuben means “see a son”
  2. WHEN THE UNHEARD IS HEARD (Simeon) (Jeremiah 33:3)
    1. “One who hears”
    2. Leah acknowledges God has heard her
    3. But she still wants Jacob to notice
    4. God is not in the business of filling our own desires, but giving us His desires
  3. WHEN THE LONELY ARE NOT ALONE (Levi) (Hebrews 13:5)
  1. “Attached”
  2. Leah wants Jacob to be attached to her
  3. She is moving in the right direction
  4. She is longing for connection with Jacob but knows God has to do it
  1. WHEN THE WOEFUL WORSHIP (Judah) Psalm 30:11
    1. “From root hand, lifted, praise”
    2. Worship is the key to getting into God’s mindset and will
    3. The material world is not our “connection”
    4. Must be connected to God

What about you?

  1. Do the right thing, trusting God to use it to His glory. (Galatians 6:6-10)
  2. God uses the least to illuminate His best! (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)