Dear Ones,
May you have a praising day! I plan to go to my exercise class and also to Crafts. So glad to be exercising again.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
How many of us have gone through challenging times and responded with the words, “What good can possibly come of all of this?!” In fact, we may not see the good in our lifetime, but that doesn’t mean God can not ultimately weave it into something beautiful for His kingdom.

I read what pastor and author Benny Tate had to say about the familiar story found in Genesis 29 of Leah and Rachel. Jacob, being tricked into marrying Leah whom he didn’t love, had to work a total of fourteen years to marry her sister Rachel whom he loved greatly. I can’t image what Leah must have felt coming together on her wedding night, knowing her husband doesn’t know who she really is, and thinking she is her sister. Even after being hopeful and giving him three sons, still Jacob had no love for her. But what struck me was after delivering her fourth son, Leah said in verse 35, “This time I will praise the Lord.” She responded and named her son Judah which means Praise God.

Now with those early disappointing circumstances in Leah’s life, it would be hard to praise the Lord. What Leah didn’t know then we now read in scripture: the descendants of her third son became the tribe of Levi from which came the Levitical priesthood, which included Moses. Leah’s fourth son Judah was the same tribe from whom came King David and also Jesus. (Rev. 5:5) Just think that someone who was unloved ends up being in the lineage of an earthly king and heavenly King. If God can do that, can He not take our lives and weave them into something beautiful?

We need to ask the Lord during the times in our lives when we can’t see any good in our circumstances to give us faith that He is in control and He will bring beauty out of it!

Challenge for today: Meditate on Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy