ESOCS Devotional 11 August
TEXT: 1 Samuel 1: 18-28
MEMORY VERSE: “And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.” 1 Samuel 1:19
A popular saying has it that it is not over until it is over. Someone also said, It will not be over unless you say it is over. When you put your trust in God and refuse to let go, there is an assurance that you will receive what you want. Hannah was barren, but she will not accept barrenness as her portion and settle down to it with thanksgiving. She rather was going to go to God in prayer, pour out her heart and not stop. Her detractors made jest of her, booed her and flaunted their better life to hurt her. Yes, she was hurt; she could not eat, and she cried. All these are emotions that are bound to be felt by any mortal in this situation. But Hannah did not allow them make her slide into helplessness; but she used them as a fuel to power her prayers. In that anguish of heart, she did not give up, thinking that God had forsaken her, but used them to make her case.
Jabez, an honorable man, cut out to be great, found out that instead of being great, his life was constantly sorrowful. He did not keep quiet, but cried out to God. God heard and expanded his coast and blessed him.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Blind Bartimaeus was another man who knew what he wanted. His situation was a very bad case, but he will not allow his condition to put him down or determine his destiny in life. He reached out to the one that could help him and cried out, refusing to stop or be dissuaded, until the Master answered him. He regained his sight and his life changed for better.
There is no doubt, what God can do. The scripture is filled with stories of His wonders; all around us are evidences and testimonies of His mightiness. He will answer those who call on Him; he will not fail those who look up to Him. No situation is too bad or too late for God. God answers prayers. Hannah is a case in point. God has solution to every problem.
CHALLENGES
- What do you consider as the basic factor that brought about the change in the situation of Hannah?
- What lesson can be drawn from it?
PRAYER POINT:
- Father take away all manners of reproach in my life. Remove sorrow and all forms of disability. Turn my life around for the better, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Haggai 1:1-14; 2:1-9; Romans 4:1-15; 4:16-25
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ESOCS Devotional 11th August
