Genesis 29:31 -35  What do Hagar and Leah have in common? Both, like some women today, were taken advantage of by those who used them as means to an end. Both felt abandoned, alone, and in need of affirmation. Both faced circumstances that took away their dignity. You might feel the same and are in need of God’s love and affirmation and you wonder how God could allow this. The prophet Habakkuk saw his beloved Jerusalem being overtaken by wicked men and he, like these women, wondered how God could stand by and let this happen. Where are you God? Do you see my circumstances?  Habakkuk said I won’t quit, I remain firm, I will keep watching so I can “see” what the Lord will do.

Hagar sat in the wilderness and God came and answered her “why” with words of affirmation. I will make this son a great nation. God saw Leah’s circumstances and heard her words “the Lord has taken pity on my oppressed condition” and then again “Because the Lord heard that I was unloved,” and then again “now this time my husband will show me affection.” But, it was not until the fourth child, Levi, was born that she came to realize the truth of Jeremiah’s words spoken by God:

“I have loved you with an everlasting love. That is why I have continued to be faithful to you.”

Wherever you are, Beloved, know this truth: you are loved! God will always remain faithful to you even if others are not. Beloved, be a Habakkuk so you can see what the Lord will do.