| The Patience of Hannah |
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1Samuel 1:6, 10, 14-15
And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. *And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. *And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? Put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. *And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. *And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? Put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
Patience is not simply limited to the ability to wait for your desire. It also embodies maintaining a good attitude while you wait for your desire. The first major thing we can note about Hannah from our text above is the fact that she was a woman of faith who knew how to take her pain and frustration to God in prayer. Being a man or woman that prays and has faith in God will serve to develop your patience. The next thing we can see from her life is that she refused to allow the pain and frustration to affect the way she treated and reacted to people around her.
Despite the intentional provocation from Peninnah because of her condition, we are not told that Hannah ever got into a quarrel or fight with Peninnah. In addition to this provocation at home, Hannah was also being misunderstood by the priest of God who she likely expected would understand her even if no one else did. Eli was mistaking her for a drunkard, but in all humility and gentleness, Hannah patiently took her time to explain herself to him. Subsequently, this same Eli prophesied to her that her desire would be granted from the Lord and it was so, 1Sam.1:17-20.
In Matthew 15:22-28, a woman implored Jesus to cleanse her daughter. Despite the seemingly negative response she appeared to be receiving from Jesus, she still referred to Jesus as 'Lord' and expressed her faith in Him. Jesus called her faith great and granted her what she desired. Today, the grace to have faith and to remain unprovoked as you wait upon God is released upon you.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I receive Your grace today to pray and keep my faith in You. I will not be easily provoked as I wait on You.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR READING PLAN: LEV 19-21 - See more at: http://www.cgmglobal.org/aboveonly/today.php#sthash.IHfeYu6N.dpuf
Despite the intentional provocation from Peninnah because of her condition, we are not told that Hannah ever got into a quarrel or fight with Peninnah. In addition to this provocation at home, Hannah was also being misunderstood by the priest of God who she likely expected would understand her even if no one else did. Eli was mistaking her for a drunkard, but in all humility and gentleness, Hannah patiently took her time to explain herself to him. Subsequently, this same Eli prophesied to her that her desire would be granted from the Lord and it was so, 1Sam.1:17-20.
In Matthew 15:22-28, a woman implored Jesus to cleanse her daughter. Despite the seemingly negative response she appeared to be receiving from Jesus, she still referred to Jesus as 'Lord' and expressed her faith in Him. Jesus called her faith great and granted her what she desired. Today, the grace to have faith and to remain unprovoked as you wait upon God is released upon you.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I receive Your grace today to pray and keep my faith in You. I will not be easily provoked as I wait on You.
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