Oh, Happy Day!!
By Nicola McFadden, Nikimac
Int'l Business Consultant / Author / Motivator / Transformational Coach
--- The Birth of Samuel and Hannah's Prayer ---
Oh, I can feel Hannah... Her pain has turned to joy... her mourning into dancing... in her Song of Deliverance!
For years Hannah had been praying, crying, and beseeching God for a son... And her rival, Peninnah, provoked her grievously to irritate her because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. (1 Samuel 1:6-7)
Hannah was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” (1 Samuel 1:10-11)
She continued to pray, persistently in prayers. She was a woman troubled in spirit. She poured out her soul before the Lord. She spoke to the Lord out of her great anxiety and vexation. She was depressed, disappointed, discouraged and dismayed :(
BUT at the appointed time, the LORD answered her.... “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to Him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. (1 Samuel 1:17-18)
And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord." (1 Samuel 1:20)
Indeed the Lord visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord. (1 Samuel 1:21)
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Beloved, sometimes the answers to our prayers are delayed, not denied, The Lord is preparing our Characters to align with our Calling... Hannah's wait period was doing just that; She was being prepared to be the mother of Samuel, a Geat Prophet of God. Also sometimes, the primary purpose of our rival is to ensure that we are kept at the Throne of Grace; though an annoyance, it's also an enabler to keep us persistent in prayer!
I pray in the name of Jesus, your Day of Celebration is fastly approaching, for the manifestation of God's victory and Great Glory to your prayers and petitions.Don't give up... Your day of rejoicing, redemption, and restoration draws near! God shall certainly do it for you as He did for Hannah and you shall give birth to your "Samuel"! At the appointed time, He will answer... He is never late!! Oh, What a Day of Deliverance that will be.... :) Hallelujah!!! :)
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And Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies because I rejoice in Your salvation.There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides You; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him, actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.
The Lord kills and brings to life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low, and He exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and on them, He has set the world. He will guard the feet of His faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them, He will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; He will give strength to His king and exalt the horn of His anointed.” 1 Samuel 2:1-10