“Her rival provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her severely; therefore she wept and did not eat.” [1]
The story of Hannah follows the story of Naomi in the Bible. [2]
Naomi was once bitter, but the Lord did not leave her there. He sweetened her life.
Hannah was verbally abused by her husband’s other wife. Some of the side effects of her rival’s treatment was sorrow, loss of appetite, and inability to accept love.
Hannah’s husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” [3] He could not comfort her. He could not cheer her up.
There’s no mention of Hannah blaming her husband for her unhappiness. There’s no mention of her fighting back against Peninnah. Instead, Hannah turned to the Lord and sought the Lord for conflict resolution. “She was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish.” [4]
Her priest saw her praying before the Lord. Her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore, he assumed she was drunk. So, he said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” [5]
Wow, even in church, she found no solace! However, this time Hannah defended her actions. She said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” [6] The priest responded by giving her a benediction of peace and said to her “May God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” [7]
The Lord answered Hannah’s prayer. “The Lord remembered her.” [8] She had asked the Lord for a son, and the Lord gave her one.
Like Naomi in the Book of Ruth, Hannah’s son would have a special place in God’s book. Naomi’s grandson was the grandfather of King David. Hannah’s son, Samuel, was the prophet of God who anointed David to be the king of Israel.
The Lord is wonderful. Hannah praised the Lord with the following words, “My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory.” [9]
[1] 1 Samuel 1:6-7
[2] Ruth 1-4 – 1 Samuel 1-2
[3] 1 Samuel 1:8
[4] 1 Samuel 1:10
[5] 1 Samuel 1:12-14
[6] 1 Samuel 1:15-16
[7] 1 Samuel 1:17
[8] 1 Samuel 1:19
[9] 1 Samuel 2:1, 8
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Monday, April 27, 2020
An Exceedingly Happy Ending
“Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, ‘There is a son born to Naomi.’ And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” [1]
At one point in her life, Naomi was exceedingly disappointed. She told the women of her hometown, “Do not call me Naomi (Pleasant); call me Mara (bitter), for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” [2]
But God was preserving the genealogy of His Son, the Messiah and Savior of the world, through Naomi...
1) Her move to Moab.
2) Her son's marriage to Ruth.
3) The death of her husband and sons
4) Her return to her homeland
5) Her daughter-in-law’s, Ruth’s, loyalty to her
6) Ruth’s working in barley fields for income
These twists and turns in Naomi’s life led to her cradling a grandson (Obed) in her arms who was destined to become the grandfather of King David. Her grandson was destined to be in the family tree of the Messiah and Savior of the world: Jesus Christ. [3]
So, if you are a follower of Christ, and wonder, like I do sometimes about disappointments, consider this, everything that happens in this world is for the glory of Jesus Christ.
He is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning, and the End. [4]
And by the way, the Book of Ruth ends with Naomi being exceedingly happy. Her story, and ours (who are in Christ) does have an exceedingly happy ending.
[1] Ruth 4:17
[2] Ruth 1:20-21
[3] Matthew 1:5-6
[4] Revelation 1:7-8
At one point in her life, Naomi was exceedingly disappointed. She told the women of her hometown, “Do not call me Naomi (Pleasant); call me Mara (bitter), for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” [2]
But God was preserving the genealogy of His Son, the Messiah and Savior of the world, through Naomi...
1) Her move to Moab.
2) Her son's marriage to Ruth.
3) The death of her husband and sons
4) Her return to her homeland
5) Her daughter-in-law’s, Ruth’s, loyalty to her
6) Ruth’s working in barley fields for income
These twists and turns in Naomi’s life led to her cradling a grandson (Obed) in her arms who was destined to become the grandfather of King David. Her grandson was destined to be in the family tree of the Messiah and Savior of the world: Jesus Christ. [3]
So, if you are a follower of Christ, and wonder, like I do sometimes about disappointments, consider this, everything that happens in this world is for the glory of Jesus Christ.
He is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning, and the End. [4]
And by the way, the Book of Ruth ends with Naomi being exceedingly happy. Her story, and ours (who are in Christ) does have an exceedingly happy ending.
[1] Ruth 4:17
[2] Ruth 1:20-21
[3] Matthew 1:5-6
[4] Revelation 1:7-8
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Eyes Straight Heart Right with the Lord
“Give attention to My words; incline your ear to My sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.” [1]
Eyes, ears, and heart given to God produce good results. His Word is health and peace to those who receive it.
“Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.” [2]
The above passage speaks of very intentional and dedicated focus on God.
God’s Word has a purpose. It reveals Him and produces faith in Him. A light switch allows electricity to flow to a light bulb when it is in the ON position. Faith in God allows His divine power and intervention to FLOW to your life.
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put perverse lips far from you.” [3]
Where does deception and perversity come from? It comes from the devil. What does deception and perversity produce? Corruption! When our first parents sinned, sin corrupted them. They distanced themselves from God by hiding from Him. The Lord advises us to diligently keep our hearts right with Him. Beware of and avoid deceitful and perverse words.
We need the Lord. This is why we keep our heart right with Him with all diligence! We should sincerely pray to the Lord those two petitions contained in the prayer that He taught us: “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
When a war is not going well, defenders search diligently for a key to turn the tide in the battle. JESUS is the KEY. JESUS provides GOOD INTEL. There is power in the NAME of JESUS! The enemy retreats when he is rebuked in the NAME of JESUS. Claim the shed blood of JESUS for the forgiveness of your sins. Satan’s claims on you have been cancelled when your sins are forgiven in JESUS’ NAME. JESUS establishes you. JESUS stabilizes your ways. JESUS keeps you on the path to victory.
The Bible foretells of two characteristics of our King Jesus Christ when He returns, “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is called The Word of God.” [4] Let us keep our eyes straight and our heart right with Him.
[1] Proverbs 4:20-22
[2] Proverbs 4:25-27
[3] Proverbs 4:23-24
[4] Revelation 19:13
Eyes, ears, and heart given to God produce good results. His Word is health and peace to those who receive it.
“Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.” [2]
The above passage speaks of very intentional and dedicated focus on God.
God’s Word has a purpose. It reveals Him and produces faith in Him. A light switch allows electricity to flow to a light bulb when it is in the ON position. Faith in God allows His divine power and intervention to FLOW to your life.
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put perverse lips far from you.” [3]
Where does deception and perversity come from? It comes from the devil. What does deception and perversity produce? Corruption! When our first parents sinned, sin corrupted them. They distanced themselves from God by hiding from Him. The Lord advises us to diligently keep our hearts right with Him. Beware of and avoid deceitful and perverse words.
We need the Lord. This is why we keep our heart right with Him with all diligence! We should sincerely pray to the Lord those two petitions contained in the prayer that He taught us: “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
When a war is not going well, defenders search diligently for a key to turn the tide in the battle. JESUS is the KEY. JESUS provides GOOD INTEL. There is power in the NAME of JESUS! The enemy retreats when he is rebuked in the NAME of JESUS. Claim the shed blood of JESUS for the forgiveness of your sins. Satan’s claims on you have been cancelled when your sins are forgiven in JESUS’ NAME. JESUS establishes you. JESUS stabilizes your ways. JESUS keeps you on the path to victory.
The Bible foretells of two characteristics of our King Jesus Christ when He returns, “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is called The Word of God.” [4] Let us keep our eyes straight and our heart right with Him.
[1] Proverbs 4:20-22
[2] Proverbs 4:25-27
[3] Proverbs 4:23-24
[4] Revelation 19:13
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Worse Sinners Than Others?
Comparatively speaking, the worst tragedy is to miss eternity with God. Believers in Christ are guaranteed everlasting food, clothing, and housing for all eternity.
People once asked Jesus if the tragic death of some Galileans was because they worse sinners than others. The Roman Governor Pilate had executed them while they were in the process of making sacrifices to God. What did Jesus say?
“There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.’” [1]
Jesus emphasized everyone’s need of repentance. The Bible states that one sin against God makes a person guilty before God. “Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” [2]
Not one person measures up to God’s standard of perfection. “…There is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” [3]
The Apostle Peter told his listeners how to overcome eternal death. We all die, but what happens after that is what is most important. Peter preached, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” [4]
The key to eternal happiness is to repent of trusting in our own efforts to reach God and to acknowledge that God has already reached out to us. He created us. He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. He gives us His Holy Spirit. In Christ, we can have a meaningful life no matter what the world does destroy it.
Rather than focus on death, let us focus on God’s promise of eternal life to those who believe in Jesus. Let us focus on good that God does through us whether we many or few days on earth.
[1] Luke 13:1-3
[2] James 2:10
[3] Romans 3:22-23
[4] Acts 2:38
People once asked Jesus if the tragic death of some Galileans was because they worse sinners than others. The Roman Governor Pilate had executed them while they were in the process of making sacrifices to God. What did Jesus say?
“There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.’” [1]
Jesus emphasized everyone’s need of repentance. The Bible states that one sin against God makes a person guilty before God. “Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” [2]
Not one person measures up to God’s standard of perfection. “…There is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” [3]
The Apostle Peter told his listeners how to overcome eternal death. We all die, but what happens after that is what is most important. Peter preached, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” [4]
The key to eternal happiness is to repent of trusting in our own efforts to reach God and to acknowledge that God has already reached out to us. He created us. He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. He gives us His Holy Spirit. In Christ, we can have a meaningful life no matter what the world does destroy it.
Rather than focus on death, let us focus on God’s promise of eternal life to those who believe in Jesus. Let us focus on good that God does through us whether we many or few days on earth.
[1] Luke 13:1-3
[2] James 2:10
[3] Romans 3:22-23
[4] Acts 2:38
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
COVID Departure - SPIRIT Arrival
We met Hurricane Ophelia just after we moved to Morehead City, NC. Ophelia drifted just offshore between September 14 – September 16, 2005. She caused a total of $70 million in damage, including breaking through the roof of our thrift store and pouring water within. She spun off the North Carolina coast for eight days. She fluctuated between strong tropical storm intensity and Category One intensity five times. Ophelia stayed in the relatively same location, caused a lot of beach erosion. Weak steering currents caused the storm to move very slowly, drift, and even become stationary.
As I consider our current situation with COVID lockdown until May 3, I think of that time when we waited in our home for Hurricane Ophelia to leave. The strongest gusts slightly shook our home. The water in our cul-de-sac ascended towards the front door of our home. We hoped the water would not breach the doorway. We had to stay in place and wait. We could not do anything but pray and trust in the Lord to take care of us. He did! Praise the Lord!
This morning, the Lord gave me…
“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side. Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul; then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” [1]
The Lord also gave me…
“The Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” [2]
After His resurrection, “He [Jesus] also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them for forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” “He commanded them [His disciples] to wait for the Promise of the Father…” saying, “…You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses...” [3]
My prayer is that a mighty move of the Holy Spirit will follow this time of waiting on the Lord.
[1] Psalm 124:1, 4-5, 8
[2] Deuteronomy 31:8
[3] Acts 1:3-5, 8
As I consider our current situation with COVID lockdown until May 3, I think of that time when we waited in our home for Hurricane Ophelia to leave. The strongest gusts slightly shook our home. The water in our cul-de-sac ascended towards the front door of our home. We hoped the water would not breach the doorway. We had to stay in place and wait. We could not do anything but pray and trust in the Lord to take care of us. He did! Praise the Lord!
This morning, the Lord gave me…
“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side. Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul; then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” [1]
The Lord also gave me…
“The Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” [2]
After His resurrection, “He [Jesus] also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them for forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” “He commanded them [His disciples] to wait for the Promise of the Father…” saying, “…You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses...” [3]
My prayer is that a mighty move of the Holy Spirit will follow this time of waiting on the Lord.
[1] Psalm 124:1, 4-5, 8
[2] Deuteronomy 31:8
[3] Acts 1:3-5, 8
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