14/07/2026
JESUS THE BURDEN BREAKER INT MINISTRY
MORNING DEVOTIONAL SERMON
Date: 14TH JULY, 2026
THEME: FROM REJECTION TO GLORY – THE STORY OF LEAH
Main Scripture: Genesis 29:31–35; Genesis 30
Sermon By: Apostle Dr. Mrs. Phoebe Prisca Owusu-Ansah
(Founder and Leader of JBB Int Ministry)
Email: [email protected]
Contact: +233506537293
God Richly Bless You.
INTRODUCTION
Many people today are living with the pain of rejection. Some have been rejected by family, spouses, employers, friends, or society. Rejection often leaves emotional scars, lowers self-esteem, and causes many to question their worth. Yet, throughout Scripture, God repeatedly demonstrates that He specializes in taking rejected people and raising them to places of honour.
Leah's life is one of the greatest examples of God's transforming power. Though she was unloved by her husband and constantly compared to her beautiful sister Rachel, God saw her tears, heard her cries, blessed her with children, and eventually brought forth Judah—the tribe through which Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah, came into the world.
Your rejection does not determine your destiny; God does.
Supporting Scripture: Psalm 27:10
> "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up."
Even when the closest people abandon us, God's love never fails.
Supporting Scripture: Isaiah 60:15
> "Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations."
This is God's promise to everyone who trusts Him. Rejection is not the end of your story.
THEME
FROM REJECTION TO GLORY
Supporting Scripture: Romans 8:28
> "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
God can turn rejection, disappointment, betrayal, and pain into testimonies of honour and glory.
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND
Leah became Jacob's first wife through the arrangement of her father, Laban. However, Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah.
Genesis 29:31
> "And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren."
Notice that God saw Leah's pain.
People may ignore your tears, but God never ignores them.
Genesis 30 continues to show the blessings of God upon Leah despite her difficult circumstances.
Eventually, Leah became the mother of Judah.
From Judah came King David.
From David came Jesus Christ.
The rejected woman became part of God's greatest redemption story.
SUB-POINT ONE
1. God Sees the Tears of the Rejected
Genesis 29:31
> "And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren."
God noticed Leah's suffering.
Jacob may not have loved Leah, but God loved her deeply.
Sometimes people overlook our sacrifices.
Sometimes family members fail to appreciate us.
Sometimes churches ignore faithful workers.
Sometimes employers forget our contributions.
But heaven never overlooks faithful people.
Psalm 34:18
> "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
God is closest to those whose hearts have been broken.
Application
If people reject you because of your appearance, background, education, age, marital status, or financial condition, remember that God's opinion matters most.
Never allow rejection to make you reject yourself.
Advice to Believers
Instead of crying before people, cry before God. He sees every hidden tear.
SUB-POINT TWO
2. Rejection Can Become the Door to Divine Blessing
Genesis 29:32
> "And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me."
Leah believed that having a child would make Jacob love her.
Although Jacob's love did not change immediately, God continued blessing her.
Sometimes we expect blessings to change people.
Instead, God uses blessings to change us.
James 1:12
> "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."
Your trials are preparing you for greater blessings.
Application
Many successful people were once rejected.
Many great ministers were once ignored.
Many business leaders were once laughed at.
Never conclude your life based on today's disappointment.
Advice to Believers
Remain faithful even when people fail to recognize your efforts. God's reward is always greater than man's approval.
SUB-POINT THREE
3. Continue Trusting God Even When Your Situation Does Not Change Immediately
Leah continued giving birth.
She continued trusting God.
She continued naming each child according to her faith.
Genesis 29:35
> "And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the Lord: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing."
Notice the difference.
At first she sought Jacob's approval.
Finally she focused on praising God.
That changed everything.
Proverbs 3:5–6
> "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Application
Some prayers take years before answers come.
Some promotions delay.
Some marriages delay.
Some ministries grow slowly.
But God is never late.
Advice to Believers
Do not stop praying because your breakthrough seems delayed.
SUB-POINT FOUR
4. God Can Use the Rejected Person for His Divine Purpose
Leah gave birth to Judah.
Judah became the tribe through which Jesus Christ came.
Matthew 1:2–3
> "Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar..."
This genealogy confirms that Leah became part of God's eternal salvation plan.
Revelation 5:5
> "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."
Jesus is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
Imagine that!
The rejected Leah became the mother of Judah.
Application
Never underestimate yourself.
Your children.
Your ministry.
Your business.
Your gifts.
God can use what others despise.
Advice to Believers
Do not compare yourself with others. God's assignment for your life is unique.
SUB-POINT FIVE
5. God Changes Rejection into Everlasting Glory
Leah's name is remembered forever.
Rachel was beautiful.
But Leah became the mother of kings.
More importantly, she became part of Christ's genealogy.
1 Peter 5:10
> "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."
God allows temporary suffering.
But He promises permanent glory.
Isaiah 61:7
> "For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them."
Application
Today's rejection is not tomorrow's reality.
God is preparing a testimony bigger than your present pain.
Advice to Believers
Hold on to God's promises. Glory always follows faithful endurance.
BIBLICAL PROOF
Throughout the Bible, God repeatedly chose people who were rejected by others:
Joseph was rejected by his brothers but became Prime Minister of Egypt (Genesis 37; Genesis 41).
David was overlooked by his own family but became king of Israel (1 Samuel 16).
Jephthah was rejected by his family but became Israel's judge (Judges 11).
Jesus Christ Himself was rejected by men but became the Saviour of the world.
Psalm 118:22
> "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner."
This prophecy points ultimately to Christ and reminds us that God often exalts those whom people reject.
CONCLUSION
Leah's story teaches us that rejection is never the end when God is involved. Though unloved by Jacob, she was deeply loved by God. Her tears were seen, her womb was opened, her faith grew stronger, and her praise replaced her pain. In the end, God honoured her by making her the mother of Judah, the royal tribe through which our Lord Jesus Christ came into the world.
If you are facing rejection today, do not lose hope. God knows your name, sees your struggles, hears your prayers, and has a glorious future prepared for you. Keep trusting Him, remain faithful, and continue to praise Him. The same God who lifted Leah from rejection to glory is able to lift you from shame to honour, from sorrow to joy, and from disappointment to divine fulfilment. Your season of glory is coming in Jesus' mighty name.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Heavenly Father, every spirit of rejection working against my life, family, ministry, career, and destiny, let it be destroyed by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the mighty name of Jesus.
2. Lord, as You remembered Leah, remember me today. Turn every area of rejection, disappointment, and shame into honour, favour, and lasting testimony, in Jesus' name.
3. Father, give me the grace to trust You even when I do not understand my circumstances. Strengthen my faith and fill my heart with praise instead of discouragement, in Jesus' name.
4. Lord, let Your divine purpose be fulfilled in my life. Use me for Your glory, and let generations yet unborn be blessed because of the work You accomplish through me, in Jesus' name.
5. Father, according to Your Word in Isaiah 61:7, replace every shame with double honour, every sorrow with everlasting joy, and every rejection with divine promotion, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
May the Lord who transformed Leah's story transform every area of your life. May He replace rejection with favour, sorrow with joy, and shame with glory. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen.