Divine Life Lessons from Hannah
Can you imagine being in the midst of a daily reminder of what you desire, but do not have? We do not serve a God who is oblivious to our suffering. He uses it to perfect us. He allows it to be a catalyst to stretch us and produce the Fruit of the Spirit. He shapes our desires to align with His Will.
Hannah found herself toiling with her current reality of not bearing a child, but she did not allow it to impede on her going to the temple. Evolving thoughts have people thinking that church attendance is not as paramount. I am here to debunk the thought of church not being relevant in the 21st Century! Church attendance in a Bible-based, God-fearing edifice is like the expectation of having someone go to a hospital for a triple bypass heart surgery! That procedure is not done at home. No one would expect you to remain in your nicely decorated room, no matter how plush it is to have that kind of surgery!
Hebrews 10:25 speaks of us not forsaking ourselves from the assembly of the brethren. There are so many topics in the Word of God that we have given a grey area mark that really should be in black and white. Why is the expectation not to do a life-threatening procedure from the home accepted, but living your life absent of the Church and the fellowship has met the approval of so many?
Is it about convenience or inconvenience? Is it a convenience to get up whenever you like on a Sunday and be able to head straight to brunch? After all, you work so many hours during the week! Hey, you deserve to do as you wish with your weekend. Right? Perhaps it is the inconvenience of it all. Having to find something to wear; driving to a location; finding a parking space; sitting through both Praise & Worship and your Pastor bringing a Message with an undisclosed ending time.
Decisions are never solo passengers. They are always accompanied by input as to why or why not. Does something fit in the scheme of what I have planned for my life or is it an inconvenience I am willing to work through? We like to make it about either/or. However, the more I live, I see this third option. I am also learning that everything is not about “I have to” in God, it moves to “I get to!”
Let’s allow the “Get to Crew” to speak…
•I get to honor Him with time, treasure, and talent.
•I get to sacrifice.
•I get to dress up for my King.
•I get to worship Him uninterrupted or absent of fear of being arrested for doing so.
•I get to be in a place that challenges me to come up higher.
Hannah’s life was such a beautiful access view of what it means to be broken; yet still consciously aware of her need for God. In the Secret Place, there is no pretentiousness or assumption. There is this humility that comes as you take in the weight of His Glory. Hannah did not just go to God complaining and accusing. Accusatory Prayers take the spotlight off of the One who is able!
One of the most fascinating occurrences for me is Hannah’s countenance upon leaving! 1 Samuel 1:18 says after she left from Eli, she ate and was sad no more! Never underestimate the Come in thru Sorrow and Go Out in God! Today’s Life Lesson from Hannah is…God Remembered, as I remembered who I stood before! When your ask aligns with His Plan and you are mature enough in Him to worship prior to manifestation, that carries another level of grace!
Divine Work & Pray:
Jot down in your journal lessons you get from Hannah’s Life from 1 Samuel 1.
Pray:
Father God, Thank you for the lives of our Sisters and Brothers lived out in the Bible. They were far beyond action figures, they are far greater. They are human beings who placed their faith in You. They believed You for what seemed impossible. You are truly a God who has our best interest at heart and there is no plan for my life like Yours. Thank you for ordering my steps. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
