CHOOSE YOUR RESPONSE WISELY… lessons from Hannah

Today we will be looking at the life of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, one of Israel’s greatest prophets. (You can read the full account in first chapter of 1Samuel).

The Bible doesn’t tell us how long Hannah and her family had been going to Shiloh but we can deduce that it most have been for several years. Every year Hannah went to Shiloh. Every year she got a bigger portion of meat. Every year Peninnah troubled her so much. Every year she could not eat her meat because she was sad. Every year she went back home and prepared for the next year’s replay of the exact same story (1Sam1: 3 – 8).

The scene was imaginably predictable, and everyone would brace up for the drama after the sacrifice. Peninnah knew what to say to provoke Hannah and she knew what response she will get, Hannah will not eat her meat. Elkanah must have gotten used to the watching this play out too. In an attempt to console Hannah, he told her I am better than 10 sons to you (please don’t try this at homeJ).

But this particular year, something happened. The Bible does not tell us what was different this year, but I can imagine Hannah knew enough was enough. She decided that she will end this cycle of “every year”. This year she PRAYED (1Sam1:9-10). I am sure Hannah had been praying for a child every year but something was different this year.  SHE CHANGED HER RESPONSE. She broke that cycle of weeping and feeling sorry for herself. She PRAYED her soul out to GOD. She even made God a deal that was so irresistible – give me a son and I will give him back fully to your service. This year she was determined to eat and the Bible records she ate something (1Sam1:18). Hannah went from been called barren to a mother of six, because she prayed.

Dear friends, do you know that you don’t have to endure, tolerate or manage that situation. There is no point in that pity party you have gotten used to. Decide today, that the cycle of ‘every year’ is ending this year in Jesus name. Your current response is not working so change your response. PRAY. PRAY AGAIN. PRAY YET AGAIN, PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS.

                                                                                                             
Be blessed

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