REINVENTING THE VERY BEST IN YOU
Reading: 1 Samuel 1: 1-20
Honestly speaking, the first month of this year is a month of surprise irritations and frustration for me and my family. This is the time when some of my dearest friends suddenly became like enemies just because of misunderstanding. This is also the time when the doors are literally closing to some of my ministries and activities.
As my wife and I began to check our hearts and ask ourselves what went wrong and what mistakes we have done, we began to realize that the recent year that had passed is a year when God fully restored our relationship with God and we also offered our life and service to God to the best of our abilities. But In spite of all these, why are we encountering irritations and provocations?
Why can’t God maintain the status quo? Why can’t we enjoy the love of our Church brethren and friends forever without any grudges and separation? Whey cant we always have the good and comfort of every thing without any interruptions?
As I open my bible with a teary eyes and desperation, the Lord caught my attention to 1 Samuel Chapter 1: 1-20, the story of Hannah the mother of Prophet Samuel. May the Lord help you rediscover yourself as He also revive me while reading this Scripture Text.
1Sa 1:1 There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
1Sa 1:2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
1Sa 1:3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the LORD Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the LORD.
1Sa 1:4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters.
1Sa 1:5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb.
1Sa 1:6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.
1Sa 1:7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.
1Sa 1:8 Elkanah her husband would say to her, "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?"
1Sa 1:9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s temple.
1Sa 1:10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.
1Sa 1:11 And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."
1Sa 1:20 So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him."
Frustration, disappointment, hopelessness and despair have many causes.
• It may be a friendship that has gone sour
• A door that suddenly slammed on your face
• An expectation that did not come to pass
• A peaceful place that suddenly became war zone
• A love that turned to hate
• A healthy relationship that suddenly gone dry and lifeless
• A trust that eventually betrayed
The good news is you are not alone. In our text, Hannah is enjoying the status quo when suddenly she comes face to face with the reality of jealousy, provocation, irritation and competition.
Please join with me as we discover how God moved in the life of Hannah to let her reinvent her life according to God’s purpose and design. I assure you that right at the moment that you declare it’s over! God is just starting to reinvent yourself because there is more in you and God can help you discover your God given destiny and purpose!
There are seven things that God used as avenue of God’s dealing with Hannah so she can reinvent herself into God’s purpose and destiny.
I. IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION (VS 1-5)
Lesson 1 - God is taking advantage of our impossible situations so that He can show his great power and mercy toward his children
1Sa 1:2 Elkanah had two wives, one named Hannah, the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
1Sa 1:5 …but the LORD had shut up her womb.
I don’t know your situation today. But in Hanna’s life, she is facing the reality of barrenness. The thought of barrenness steal all the joy and meaning of Hannah’s life. But God use the impossible situation to get Hannah’s attention. If it is impossible, then you need God!
• If your sickness is incurable, then you need God!
• If your relationship is irremediable, then you need God!
• If you’re your situation is beyond your control, then you need God!
• You need God! The God of impossible!
II. DIVINE PROVOCATION (VS. 6-7))
Lesson 2 - The irritations in our life may be God’s way of provoking us to discover the very best in our lives.
1Sa 1:6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.
1Sa 1:7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.
Passivity and mediocrity is the enemy of change. But many times, God is using divine provocations to awaken our interest for change. Had it not been to the irritations cause by Penninah, Hannah may not be interested to discover more of her destiny.
Hannah may be ready to settle for less. After all she has the love and attention of her husband more than Peninnah. But because of the provocations, she began to come out from her comfort zone. She started feeling the hunger for more of God’s purpose and she began to rediscover her destiny
III.HEART’S DISATISFACTION (V 8)
Lesson 3 - The divine hunger of the heart may be an indication that God is leading us to something more for God
1Sa 1:8 Elkanah her husband would say to her, Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?
God created us with a purpose. God want us to reach our life’s destiny. The craving of our hearts may be an indication that there is something more. Yes there is more in you and you cannot be satisfied and fulfilled unless you accomplish God’s purpose in your life. You may be feeling the same longing with Hannah.
• She may be beautiful and lovely but she is barren!
• She may have a beautiful house but she is barren!
• She may have a loving husband but she is barren!
How about you?
• You may be rich but are you happy?
• You may be serving God but is that all you can do?
• You may be attending church but do you feel spiritually fulfilled
• You may be saved but how about your family and friends?
God said, if you are not fruitful Christian, then, you are barren
• You may be satisfied and saved but you are barren!
• You may be giving your tithes but you are barren!
• You may be singing in the choir but you are barren!
• You may be holding the church position but you are barren!
• You may be preaching the best sermon but your are barren
• You may have physical children but spiritually barren!
My friend, God’s first command to mankind is Be fruitful and multiply! God hate barrenness and stagnancy! God want us to attain the fullest of our destiny. God want the best and not second best for His children! But the question is: Are you willing to venture for more on God or did you already settled for something less?
IV. PRAYER OF DESPERATION (V 10-16)
Lesson 4 - The end of our own strength can be the turning point to discover the power and might of God.
1Sa 1:10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.
Prayer is like birthing of a child. Hannah gave birth to Samuel first in prayer before the baby Samuel became a reality. The blessing birth and labored in prayer usually produce the best result. Peninnah may have many children but they cannot be compared to Samuel who was considered one of the best Prophet in the Old Testament.
V. WORD OF DECLARATION (V 17-18)
Lesson 5 - All we need to do is to hear God’s promised declared by man of God and claim it by faith.
1Sa 1:17 Eli answered, Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.
1Sa 1:18 She said, May your servant find favour in your eyes. Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.
As long as Hannah received the blessing release from the mouth of Eli, the man of God, she claims it by faith and began rejoicing as if she already receives it physically. This is the kind of faith that God want us to exercise in our life. The faith based on the word of God and not on our senses.
As God’s children, we must not be moved by what we see, feel, or hear. But we must stand firmly on the word of God. When God promise anything, He will do it because He is God.
Declare it with faith!
• I am spiritual Son of Abraham, recipient of divine blessing and favor of God!
• I am not barren but fruitful Christian and I will bring many souls for God!
• I will be fruitful and I will multiply in blessing and in faith and many people will come to know the Lord because of my testimony!
• I will have increase in blessing, in faith and maturity and I will not be stagnant!
VI. WORHIP AND ADORATION (V 19)
Lesson 6 - No worship no rain. Worship is the push button of God’s blessing
1Sa 1:19 Early the next morning they arose and worshipped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.
They worship God and then God remember Hannah. Life comes from God and so we must worship Him in all that we are doing. Worship and prayer always touch the heart of God.
VII. VICTORY IN CONCEPTION (V 20)
Lesson 7 - From the very start of creation, God’s mandate and purpose for His children is not barrenness but increase and multiplication
1Sa 1:20 So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, Because I asked the LORD for him.
• As I meditate on the life of Hannah, I understand that sometimes God let our own figurative land became dry so that He can lead us to better and greener pasture.
• I we only understand God’s purpose for every provocations and irritations that come in our ways, we will be able to thank God because they will lead us to discovering God’s purpose for our life
• God intends that we become fruitful and so He conduct the pruning and shaping to make us better and not bitter.
If you have been blessed, encouraged or inspired by this sermon then it’s your turn to be an encouragement too. You can do it by sending email to this contributor at spy2rb@yahoo.com or post comment on the discussion box below.
