“Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-Zophin, 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 Ephrathiate. 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. 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. And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and all her sons and her daughters portions. But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion, for loved Hannah, but the LORD has shut up her womb”(I Samuel 1:1-5).
To God be all the glory for keeping us from the passed two months of this 2015. We also wish to ascribed all the praises to Him for He gave His only begotten son to redeemed the whole world.
This season of Lent, gave us the opportunity to adore Him and also ask Him to strengthened us to watch and pray. Our master came to accomplish all that we needed for life and godliness on the cross of Calvary. See John 19:30.
Yes, “The God of Hannah is my God”, is the title of my meditation this day or week. Because if we (believers) can exercise our faith as Hannah did, we will achieve our set goals and aspirations in life. Looking at out theme critically, we will realized that, Hannah was the eldest wife of Elkanah but SITUATON(S) had made her to be a “second class wife”. The genealogy of Elkanah was clearly stated. See vi. In verse 2 the scripture made us to understand that Elkanah had two wives. “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” Also, the word of God made us to understand that, from the beginning, God made (one wife for one man). See Genesis 2:21-24. From the biblical perspective, Elkhana made a mistake for marrying two wives. Child of God, you may not believe it, but that is the truth, and according to the standard God’s word.
In spite of the above mistake(s) Elkanah made, he was still going to sacrifice to the LORD in Shiloh. “And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas the Priest of the LORD were there” v3.
In the cause of offering his sacrifice, he gave portion to Peninnah, her sons and her daughters. And unto Hannah he gave “a worthy portion” because he loved Hannah.
Beloved brethren, the God of Hannah is your God, and mine. He can do wonders to the shame of the devil operating in ones’ life. Although, God shut the womb of Hannah, I know He did it for a purpose, so that by the comfort of the scriptures we can be strengthened when we find ourselves in such situation(s). The same God, that shut up the womb also remembered her when she prayed and made a vow to the LORD of hosts whom she served.
Beloved, perhaps, your condition is like that of Hannah, I wish to encourage you to take steps Hannah took.
i. She prayed vs 9-12.
ii. She made a vow vii.
iii. She responded to Eli, the man of God in the polite way.
iv. Eli pronounced Blessings upon her v17.
v. Joy came to her v18.
vi. God remembered her v19.
vii. Samuel was born v20.
Today, you daughters of Zion, Sarah, your Samuel is hereby delivered to your hands in Jesus Name I pray Amen.
Those who are laughing at you today will be silent. “He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness, for by strength shall no man prevail” (1 Samuel 2:9).
Beloved, permit me to sing this worship song. Looking unto Jesus. the author and finisher of our faith (x3 He has done it for you and I and He will still do it again because, Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever” what He did for Hannah, He will do it for you and me today in Jesus Name. Amen.
The grace, I saw in Hannah was that, she was a woman of “Faith’ And the word of God says “But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
God spoke to me on Thursday 27th February 2015, that, IN A PLACE OF BATTLE, EVERBODY IS A FIGHTER. Beloved, don’t cry, don’t be sorrowful, don’t give up the faith, remember that our redeemer liveth see Job 19:25.
Beloved friends, Hannah wept sore, even to the point, that her husband told her, I AM NOT BETTER THAN T TO THEE. See v8. Flip across the scriptures, you will understand that, men and women had experienced some situation that were so bitter and they wept. Job 19: 9 ff Says, “He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head. He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone, and mine hope hath he removed like a tree.
He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies. His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle. He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are very estranged from me. My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. They that dwell in mine house and my maids, count me for a stranger, I am, an alien in their sight. I called my servant, and he gave me no answer, I entreated him with my mouth. My breath is strange to my wife, though I entreated for the children’s sake of mine own body. Yea, young children despided me, I arose, and they spake against me. All my inward friends abhorred me, and they whom I loved are turned against me. My bones cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, Oye my friends for the hand of my God hath touched me. Why doye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?. Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed in a book! that they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever. For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth”
When God remembered Hannah, her mouth was full of praises to the Almighty God. And she said, “Talk no more so exceeding proudly, let not arrogancy come out of your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighted. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled and 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” (I Samuel 2:3-5).
Beloved, all these can’t be possible, if you have not given your life to the Saviour of the world. (Jesus Christ). Therefore, I will cease this medium to encourage you, that, Heaven is real and Hell fire is also real. But the choice is yours today. Accept Him into your life, so that you can be made a new creature. See 2 Cor. 5:17, John 3:16, Revelation 3:20, Isaiah 1:18-19, Isaiah 55:6-7.
Confess those sins of yours now and He will pardon you and to His praise and glory in Jesus Name. Amen.” He that covereth his sins shall not prosper but whose confesseth and foresaketh them shall have mercy”(Proverbs 28:13).
I can’t conclude this meditation without leading you my dear friends to Jesus Christ, the man of Calvary.
And if you are ready now, then say this prayer with me: God I thank you, for creating me, Jesus Christ I praise you for dying for me, on the cross of Calvary. Holy Ghost I adore you for you are my comforter. Today, I surrender my life to you Jesus Christ, forgive me my sins and wash me with your precious blood, write my name in the book of life thank you, for saving my soul in Jesus Name I prayed. Amen. Give me your Holy Ghost to dwell in my life, so that, I can live the rest of my days and years for you in Jesus Name, Amen. All the properties of the enemies in my possession, I set them ablaze and now I surrender all to Jesus Christ in Jesus I prayed. Amen.
Congratulation for you are born again. If you have said the above prayer with the whole of your heart.
Thank you, remain blessed and favoured in Jesus Name. Amen.