Where do you find strength and stamina in the ups and downs of life?  Do you depend on yourself and try to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps?  How is that working for you?

Jacob was married to the two daughters of Laban, Leah and Rachel.

Leah’s story could have been one of defeat and being unloved all of her life by her husband.  But her faith was in the Lord God.

Leah’s story is one of strength, stamina, triumph and the blessing of being honored by God.

Leah was not loved by her husband… at the beginning of their marriage.  It took years!  But she did not give up.

The Lord saw she was not loved and she bore a son for Jacob.  She named him Reuben because “the Lord has seen my affliction.”  She next gave birth and named him Simeon “because the Lord has heard that I am unloved.”  Again she conceived and named him Levi – “my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.”
Again she conceived and named this fourth son, Judah saying, “This time I will praise the Lord.”

How Jacob must have enjoyed and loved those little boys.  Of course their mother would be there with them.  Leah did not give up on her husband loving her.  She turned to the Lord many times and the evidence is in the names of her sons.

Do you turn to the Lord in prayer trusting Him to work in your behalf in the hard places of your life?  Remember, it may take years… hangeth in there.

God was faithful to bless Leah.  Her third son Levi became the priestly tribe of Israel.  Her fourth son became the tribe through whom Messiah came.  (Matthew 1:1-3)

Leah was buried by her husband in the tomb of the patriarchs.  (Genesis 49:29-33)

Leah was honored by the Lord through the sons she bore to Jacob.

Leah’s faith in God was active and He blessed her.  Her strength and stamina came from her faith in the living God of the Holy Bible… not in her marriage or her circumstances.

Leah was Jacob’s godly wife.  He accomplished his mission and did not realize it for many years.

~ Take it to heart ~

Is your Strength & Stamina Found in the Lord?