Are you disheartened as a result of unanswered prayer? Are you wondering why it’s taking so long for you to receive that blessing you have been longing for? Do you feel like God is not considerate of your feelings as he is with others?
Are you that bad a sinner you don’t deserve God’s attention? I know this experience can be quite overwhelming sometimes. Here are a few words of scripture to cheer you up and help you to go through.
1 Sam 1:1-4
1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: 2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.
I guess you have already figured out what happens in the story. Barrenness is one condition every woman does not want to be. Whilst it can be painful in a monogamous marriage, what more in a polygamous marriage and the other woman can bear children. So was the case in this story and even worse.
1 Sam 1:4-7
4 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: 5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb. 6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb. 7 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.
Where was God when this poor woman was intentionally provoked? ‘Years went by and so she provoked her. Why wasn’t God interfering on behalf of this poor soul? What do you think?
In our previous lesson, we learned about a righteous man who suffered unimaginable pain though he had not sinned because God had ordered it so to prove to the Devil how loyal to him he was. This case has a different case scenario altogether. Find out why from the following text
1 Sam 1:11
Things did not go Hannah’s way until she made a vow that was honored by heaven. What was the vow and why was her prayer suddenly considered? Sometimes we may feel rejected by God but it is not always the case. Until we align our needs to the needs of God then can he hear and respond to our prayers promptly.
Is it not awe-inspiring that Hannah who had been praying for just a baby did not receive an answer for years but one?
Yesterday she just wanted a baby but now she asks specifically for a baby boy and it is so given. Why? Sometimes we ask God for blessings that only glorify self, and we expect him to quickly respond to such. Why did God consider Hannah’s prayer when she asked for a baby boy? Read the following text
1 Sam 2:12
What lesson do we draw out here? God and Hannah had been both crying out for a baby, but the latter’s initial reasons were to revenge on Peninnah or to prove everyone wrong as is the case with most women.
God on the other hand was displeased with the activities of the sons of the high priest who were servants of Belial and sought their replacement. This replacement was not going to be possible if Hannah continued to think of herself only. It is when she aligns her needs with God’s needs that her prayer is answered immediately.
How much are we like Hannah we worry for ourselves only and we care less about God? It is safe to say that most of us do not know how to pray or how to ask God. No prayer will go unanswered, but some will be responded to swiftly because they have been asked in God’s name and aligned to his will. Let us pray for those things that will bring glory to God.
John 14:12-14
12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
There is no reason to doubt or lose heart if your prayers and supplications are not about you but are according to God’s will. The answer may not appear sudden but it definitely will. God’s time is the best.
Like Hannah, you will be the mother of the greatest prophet of all time. Like Manoah’s wife, you will be the mother of the world’s strongest man. Like Elizabeth, you will be the mother of the Lord’s forerunner. Like Sarah, you will be the mother of the promised son.
God is saving you for a greater purpose. Pray that he opens your eyes and you see it right before your eyes and like Hannah claim before it passes on to someone.
God help us realize that he has great treasures in store for us and only by co-operating with him can we be inheritors of them.
God bless you! And see you in the next lesson.
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