Look What God Did

Hannah went to "church" and her adversary "provoked her" there. Tragically it can happen even there. Her adversary, most believe, was Peninnah, Elhanah's other wife who "had children, sons and daughters" Vs 4. That alone would have broken her heart if not make her jealous.

She wept
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" Ps 51:17. What a great verse and promise. She wept. Don't quench the Spirit 1 Thes. 5:19. We desperately need a broken spirit with the world in trouble as it is.

She fasted
"She did not eat." I wish I had an hour right here. For over 60 years now, when I have faced a crisis or in desperate need, my wife and I have fasted. "Worshiped night and day, fasting and praying" Luke 2:37. Fasting is one the greatest spiritual exercises we can ever practice. It is the most neglected by Christians and what a tragedy. "The real tragedy in life is not what people suffer but what they miss." So much is missed by not fasting like we are taught in Matt. 6:16 where Jesus said, "They are fasting."

Her husband just did not understand He said, "why do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?" vs 8. That dumb bunny. Don't be shocked when people just don't understand, even your own loved ones. Believe me, I have had this all my life. O dear husband, wake up, your wife is hurting. Have you noticed? She needs a hug, She needs your comfort and TLC. And he, dear wife needs your admiration and a lot of TLC, too.


Hannah did the right things
"She, greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly" vs. 10. Now that is a spiritual woman. She did all the right things. O dear people, get serious about your problems. Get a broken heart, pray to the Lord and weep before Him. He loves it. He responds to that tender attitude.

The preacher did not understand "she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk" and rebuked her! vs 13. Too many "Christians" have quit church for a lot less than that. You may be misunderstood by preachers and people but don't you quit.

Look what she did
She responded, "I have poured out my soul before the Lord" vs 15. "The effectual FERVENT PRAYER of a righteous man availeth much" James 5:16. O dear people, this is my need and your need today for ourselves, for our churches, for our country and for our world. Let's pray fervently, faithfully and frequently for "those in authority," 1 Tim 2:1 and for "those who rule over us" spiritually Heb. 13: 7, 17 24.

She made a vow
She vowed if God gave her "a man child" she would "give him to the Lord all the days of his life" vs 11. What is your problem? What is it you want? What will you do with what God gives you? What have you done with what God has already given you? God has given you salvation, spiritual gifts, spiritual opportunities to share the gospel. What have you done with them? I think it is time we all get real serious about the Life God has given us. He did not leave us here to "serve our time" or to "endure to the end" but to "put to use" what He has already given us. Now why don't you "present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Rom 12:1. "I will do as you say" Luke 5:5.

Look what God gave her
He did not give her just "a man child." He gave her Samuel, one of the greatest men of God of all times. Then He gave her more children 2:21.

Prayer:  Father bless Your child reading this. Meet that need. Melt that heart. Break that stubborn spirit and use them to Your glory, in Jesus name

You are loved by God and me all because of Calvary, sumner