THE GOD OF HANNAH

Post date: Nov 14, 2013 5:00:43 AM

“And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: but unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb. And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb. And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? And why eatest thou not? And why is thy heart grieved? Am not I better to thee than ten sons? 1 Samuel 1:4-8

You have spent your time listening, hearing and giving your heart to consider what you should not be hearing and considering. Why should you spend so much of your time and energy crying of what others have been saying to you or about you as a result of the situation you had never anticipated will ever happen to you in life? A situation that you did not create, you did not pray for, you did not give any permit in the first place, a situation which is far beyond your power and you have spent a reasonable amount of your income on it without success. This same situation others did not create in you though they are using it to laugh at you, using it to identify you in the public and using it to take away your joy. The God of Hannah will visit you.

How many times or how often have you listened to their words, take it to heart and mourn over it with sadness, loneliness and self-condemnation? How many times have you spoken the words of God and your own expectations to your own self concerning such situation? How often have you spoken to God concerning this same situation and be comforted by His words and promises? The consolations of men are increasing becoming ineffective, short-lived, and lack the debt to truly address our needs in such situations. Their consolation leaves you where they met you when they leaves, but the consolation that is from above will never leave you the way it meets you. If the words and promises of God are not enough to console, comfort and give you hope till the very end, then you will be manipulated by men and men will take advantage of you in that situation.       

This was the end of Hannah’s situation: “And Hannah prayed, and said; my heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogance come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.” 1 Samuel 2:1-5

The words and promise of men, irrespective of whom and what they are will always be temporal just like their consolations, but the words of God are eternal, its effect are eternal and its impact are transforming and eternal. The words of God will never mislead you in anything. When you follow His words, you will surely arrive at the very place the Lord had promised and destined for you despite the problems you will encounter along the way.

Though Hannah was touted by Peninnah she was not discouraged from approaching the throne of grace where impossibilities are taken away and situations turned around permanently. Though she was consoled by her husband, she did not ignore presenting herself and her situation to God, though she cried, she was not disappointed in believing the promises of God through Eli, and God gave her more than she requested. For prayers Click here