What are you asking God for today? Believing HE HEARS, HE ANSWERS your prayers keeping your children, grands and all those close to your heart safe physically, emotionally, mentally as well as spiritually connected to Him. Proofs: Jeremiah 29:12 “Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. Jeremiah 33:3 Call upon Me and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”
HE HEARS, HE ANSWERS comes from the First Book of Samuel. Otherwise called the First Book of the Kings, the KJV Reference Bible. Verse 1:1-2:11 focus on the prayers and the plight of Hannah, a wife with no children to the HE HEARS, HE ANSWERS. We find Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Seemingly a way of life for men during biblical times which added to the family “Drama” and discord. Read about it below. So Peninnah had sons and daughters. Hannah did not have any children. Scripture says, “The LORD shut-up her womb (inability to conceive)” for a time and season that we will address later.
Once a year Elkanah and family traveled to Shiloh for a peace sacrifice and worship. This was a display of hospitality, inclusion and covenant-His promises, a celebration of joy to the LORD and the priests. The portions of the sacrifices were given to Peninnah and her children. But more was given to Hannah because Elkanah loved her so much. More than unlikely Peninnah witnessed a “Real time” display of Elkanah’s deeper affection towards Hannah. Peninnah in her misery an opportunity to “Shine” on Hannah since without children she was considered to be an unblessed woman by God.
Now verse 1:6, “And her adversary (Peninnah) also provoked her sore (body, soul & spirit), for to make her fret (agonize), because the LORD had shut up her womb.” Scripture emphasizes “Also provoked” to imply Peninnah said and done everything she could to reinforce Hannah’s emotions of unblessedness, shame, sadness, anger, grief and weeping. Hubby tried to comfort Hannah. Finally she ate. Then 1:8 a portion of what Elkanah said to Hannah, “Am I better to you than ten sons?”
Before moving on it's probably accurate to say these taunting episodes occurred repeatedly year after year. Thus a wound that grew deeper and deeper with no resolution-no healing. Similar to victim-survivors of today that are/were constantly bullied, the abused in domestic violence and/or those who experienced other traumatic and/or repeated hurtful events that continues to linger for years with no healing of the pains and wounds.
If this blog triggers any unresolve or resolved past hurts and pains let us pray. LORD many of us have not experience or impacted by the brutality of bulling, domestic violence and/or other traumatic life events. But LORD, You know all about it—You know the wounded name by name, their deepness of hurt, pain, sorrow, anger, isolation, no peace, no justice as well as any other emotional/mental/physical trauma. LORD You are Omnipresent, everywhere at all times; All-Knowingly, nothing is hidden from You; Yahweh-Jireth, the LORD will provide; Yahweh-Rapha, the LORD who heals; Yahweh-Shalom, the LORD of our peace; Yahweh-Rohi, The LORD is our Shepherd and adding we shall not want; and Yahweh-Sabaoth, able to accomplish that You are determine to do. Continue blessings and love you! For more send me a message.
Now LORD You are everywhere at all times, knows everything, are our provider, healer, peace, and Shepherd that we shall not want; Moreover You are more than able to accomplish what You are determine to do. Therefore LORD we are calling on Your determination that is more than able to deliver, restore and heal every survivor, name by name from deep hurts, pains anger, sorrows, isolation, no peace, no justice as well as any other emotional/mental/physical trauma experienced.
A few scriptures. Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I Am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the Right Hand of My righteousness. Psalm 4:8 “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only make me dwell in safety.” Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” We thank You LORD for Your healing, restoration and deliverance for every survivor-name by name; as well as their ears, eyes and hearts are open to receive Your Determination for their lives in which You are more than able to accomplish in Jesus/Yeshua’s name, we pray, Amen!!!
RESOURCES
Local Community Mental Health Centers; Your Doctor; 311 Contact Center - Miami-Dade County
https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-for-survivors
Now Elkanah and family at the Temple of the LORD. 1:10 And she (Hannah) was in bitterness (anger and resentment) of soul, heart and spirit. She prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. This was deep. Despite Hannah was an “Emotional wreck” she maintained faithfulness by pouring out her petition for a “Man child” year after year to the HE HEARS, HE ANSWERS. Verses 11-12 Hannah vowed a vow which means a deep commitment of spiritual obligation to the LORD. Asking the LORD to look on her affliction, forget her not, give her a man child, she will give him to the LORD all the days of his life and said, “No razor come upon his head.” She continued praying with her heart.
Can you remember a time of steadfastness in prayer like Hannah? Refusing to give up until you heard from the LORD. She continued praying with her heart, year after year through her pain-through her resentment and more. She needed consolation from the LORD. Are our prayers heartfelt? Have we petition God with the same prayer year after year until receiving breakthrough?
Then verses 13-18 Eli, the priest saw Hannah moving her lips, but heard no voice. He accused her of being drunk and told her to put away the wine. Hannah 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. I am not the daughter of the devil, but spoke my abundance of complaint and grief to God. Eli answered and said, go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of Him. Her response was “Let me find grace in your sight.” Hannah went her way, ate and her soul (heart/spirit) was sad no more. Just to note Eli, the priest’s sons “Did not know God and did evil in His sight,” as well as in their father, Eli and Israel’s sight. They refused to change despite the warnings. They did not listen to their father and for whatever reason dad mandated no consequences for their behavior. Hum…well, we can say a setting of the stage-the need for another man of God that will walk in the ways of the LORD.
A summary of events 2:19 through Chapter 3. Hannah “Happy as a lamb” and the appointed time was approaching for Hannah’s blessing. The family returned home from the temple, Hannah conceived, bore a son, named him Samuel which means, because I have asked him of the LORD. She continued praying filled with rejoicing in her heart and the declaration of God’s mighty power.
The time arose again to travel to the temple for worship and give thanks to the LORD. Hannah did not travel with the family. She said, “I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide forever. Hannah kept her “Vowed a vow” to the priest Eli. Once the child Samuel was weaned she took him to the temple to live with the priest forever. Can we imagine praying for a child, then to give him or her away? Or what are your thoughts? Look at Hannah’s love and gratitude for the LORD. Can we examine or realize the depth of our love and gratitude for all the LORD has done and continues to do for us?
Now Samuel a young boy grew in the favor of the LORD, Eli and Israel. The LORD was pleased with Hannah and blessed her with three more sons and two daughters. For spiritual growth what ways are we pleasing God? Bringing tears to my eyes. Something to think and pray about. We don’t toot our own horn. But we ought to look at our gifts to see if we are doing all that we can to help others without drowning in overload. Our desires are to demonstrate more love and gratitude through our actions mirroring Christ in our spiritual journey.
Time continued to past. Eli was old, problems with his vision and his sons were still corrupt. Eli failed to correct and discipline them for their disobedience to the LORD and disrespect for the temple. Yet they continued serving with their father in the temple. Now Israel went into battle and both of Eli sons were killed. Someone came and gave Eli the news. He felled backwards, broke his neck and died. O boy…can we say the wrath of God?
What I receive regarding the birth of Hannah’s first man son, Samuel is his birth was predestined and ordained by God for the time and season that he was born. Now a young boy raised in the house of the LORD all of his life; filled with the LORD’S Spirit, power and wisdom. The perfect godly prophet groomed by You LORD for Israel. Another thought if young believers-children are raised up in the household of God where His Spirit prevails and lives in the hearts of His children what power, glory and manifestations of signs and wonders that we will see.
Thanks LORD for the lessons learned in HE HEARS, HE ANSWERS, the opportunities and blessings to serve You with a heart of love, faithfulness, reverence and gratitude. Then like Samuel LORD, You have predestined and ordained us to serve You by serving others. Always love, joy, peace and continue to walk in your destiny place! Neatbooks4u
