Unloved, Yet Loved

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:26

Have you ever felt unloved?

Genesis 29 unfolds the story of Leah, who was married to a man who loved someone else. God saw Leah in her unloved state and opened her womb. She gave birth to Jacob’s first-born son, Reuben, and declared, “…the LORD has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now” (Genesis 29:32).

Have you ever walked that path? Have you thought that giving or doing something pleasing could change the heart of that distant, unloving person?  

Leah bore Jacob a son, but she still felt unloved. After having a second son, she said, “Because the LORD heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too” (Genesis 29:33). Her personal relationship with God was evident, for she addressed God as LORD (Yahweh). This is Jehovah, the personal name of God. In a loveless marriage, Leah was confident of God’s love. God had seen her misery and heard her cries and prayers.

In your present difficulty, are you aware God sees your misery? Are you confident He hears your cries and prayers?

Leah became pregnant again, and named her son Levi, which means “attached.” She declared her great hope, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me…” (Genesis 29:34). However, Leah’s longing for love remained unfulfilled.

Are you clinging to hope that one day that person will love you as you desire?

By the time Leah’s fourth son was born, Leah’s focus had shifted to God alone. She named her son Judah, which means “praise.” No expectations or longings were expressed. Leah declared, “This time I will praise the LORD” (Genesis 29:35). Her situation hadn’t changed, but Leah had changed. God had transformed her despair into praise of Him.

God may not change your situation, but as you draw near to Him, He will change you.

Man’s love often disappoints, but God’s eternal, unconditional love will never fail.

Thank you, Lord, that your love is exactly what we long for and need.

Jan