New Beginnings... Hannah

 source

You see, to experience a New Beginning, you have to be ready to do things just a little differently… Let’s take a look at Hannah! [1 Samuel 1:1 – 28]

Year in, year out, Hannah went up to Shiloh with her husband and her “mate”.  Year in, year out, they would worship and Hannah would return  to Ephraim  the same as she left.

This year, Hannah decided, she had had enough!  The taunts of Peninnah and he situation had deeply distressed her! So this year, she was going to do things a little differently…

After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose up and went to the temple and she was deeply distressed and she prayed to the Lord and she wept bitterly.  See, there comes a point when you need to be honest with God!  You need to be completely open with Him… Let down your guard, weep in His presence, let Him see how much you want what it is you’re asking Him for…

But Hannah went one step further… She vowed to the Lord!  She said, Lord, this son you’re going to give me, I will give him back to you all the days of his life.  Sometimes, we need to make a strong “vow” before the Lord.  We need to tell God what we’ll “do” for Him with that blessing!  How is that blessing going to be used to bless God?  How is it going to impact souls?  James tells us that we pray  and do not get what we ask for because we pray amiss, out of our own selfish desires! [James 4:3].

Hannah encountered the priest of the Lord, Eli and He agreed with her in prayer.  There is power in agreement.  Who are you agreeing with about pertinent issues in your life?  Who is telling you to “go in peace and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have made to him”?

When Hannah had unburdened her heart before God, made her vow and received the priest’s blessing, Hannah went her way, she ate and was no longer sad… Halleluyah!  Some of us after dropping our problems with God, go around with long faces!  Do you not believe that your prayers will be answered?  Start rejoicing now.  Rejoice your way into a new beginning!

They rose early in the morning and worshipped the Lord before returning to their home.  When last did you rise up early to worship the Lord? Not a hurried 5/10minute prayer but real, intense worship?

In due time, Hannah conceived and bore a son… Ladies, you need to be patient.  Wait joyfully for the “due time”.  It’s coming!  After all is said and done, the Lord will remember you. Just be very expectant!

Hannah fulfilled her vow.  This is important.  Whatever you’ve promised to God, make sure you deliver on it.  Don’t let a failed promise of yesterday, stand in the way of your blessing for tomorrow.  Whatever you are owing God, pay up now.  Ask Him to remind you of your debts to Him so you can clear it!

We don’t know what you’re going through or what you’re waiting on the Lord for but we agree with you in prayer and we say Go in peace! And may the God of Israel, the Alpha and the Omega grant your petition which you have made to Him in Jesus name, Amen!

God bless you!