BY OMOLARA ANYANWU

Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Elkanah loved Hannah so much but she had no children😔
Peninnah on the other hand had children.

Peninnah decided to position herself as an adversary to Hannah because of her barren situation. Having children in those days was a thing of societal status and a means of survival when they are grown. The children have source of income to take care of their parents when they become old.

It was even recorded in the Bible that the Lord shut up her womb 1Sam 1:5
Sister what situation are you in at the moment?
Are you sure the Lord is not aware?
Do you want me some think it’s a means of punishment or the Lord only wants you to push harder in the place of communing with Him
I mean in the place of prayer and supplication?

Peninnah was in the business of provoking, humiliating and mocking Hannah because of this situation of hers. Hannah never responded or reacted to her. The truth is that as we journey on to destiny there will be some trying moments but when he way you handle and react to them determines if you will pull through to destiny or not.

During this trying times, oppositions, mockery and humiliation will come just as we can see in the life of Hannah. But I tell you, it is not a time to concentrate on those oppositions, it is a time to draw closer to God.

Elkanah’s family usually visit Shiloh to worship and to make sacrifices and offerings to God. His family did this yearly. 1Sam1:3
This particular year as the family’s practice was after he had offered sacrifices to God, he gave portions that is gifts to Peninnah and her children. But to Hannah he gave a worthy gift because he loved her.

Peninnah saw this and became jealous as usual and started humiliating and frustrating Hannah of her barrenness.
Hannah wept and couldn’t eat.
She became bitter in her soul and told her sorrows to God 1Sam 1:10
She prayed with the whole of her heart and made her request known unto God.

In the midst of our trials our attitude should be talking to God and complaining and worrying over them. I had to learn this too sisters.
It may not be easy but scripture admonishes is to do so in Philp 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication let your request be made known unto God.
1Sam 1:11 says “And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look 👀 on the affliction of thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life and there shall no razor come upon his head.

She prayed with the whole of her heart and even made a vow unto God that if He grants her a man child, she will give him back to God.
And did God answer her?
Did her testimony come? Yes, it did
Her prayer birthed Samuel, which means Because I asked him of the LORD in 1Sam 1:20

What are you going through at the instance?
What are you asking of the Lord?
Have you any trials at the moment, Take it to the Lord in prayer.
You surely will have victory.

ACTION|GETTING PRACTICAL WITH IT

1). Never see your trials /oppositions as punishment from God. Rather beseech God to have understanding and light concerning that situation.

2). You can only hear from God if you have a personal and cordial relationship with Him. Draw closer to Him daily.

3). Always treat even your enemies with Love ❤️

May God grant us grace in Jesus Name
Amen 🙏