Year After Year
Part of God’s plan for Hannah involved postponing her years of childbearing. While Peninnah looked at Hannah’s outward circumstances, God was moving ahead with His plan.
Year after year, Elkanah, along with Hannah, Peninnah and all her sons and daughters, went up to a town called Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty. Each year Peninnah would provoke Hannah until she wept and would not eat.
The bible is not specific on exactly how many years of taunting took place, but given that Peninnah had sons and daughters, there must have been several and it must have felt like an eternity to Hannah.
Each of us are tried and proven by life’s experiences. Often during the times of harassment, bullying and taunting we tend to narrow in on our own feelings and only see our side of the situation. But there is always an underlying reason for the behavior of the other person which means, if we look deeper we will know how to pray for them.
In Hannah’s situation Peninnah also felt deep sorrow and the pain of loneliness. Despite her joy of mothering many children, she carried the pain of knowing her husband’s love for Hannah was far greater than his love for her and no amount of children would change that. While that doesn’t validate her actions is does help us understand where she is coming from.
Both women were desperately waiting for validation. Each year their hopes felt dashed against the stones as the same circumstances replayed in their lives. Imagine what might have happened if they had chosen to pray for each other and support one another. The story would have been quite different.
Think of those in your world who are struggling with God’s timing in answer to their prayers and who need your love and support. By supporting them, you may help them remain steadfast in their faith and confident in God’s timing to bring fulfillment to their lives. Remember that there is always two sides to the story and your heartfelt prayers will make a difference.
Be Intentional about supporting others in the waiting.
Praises & Prayers
Father, I ask forgiveness for the times in my life when I have only thought of my own feelings as I’ve experienced trials and waited for answers. Help me to be more mindful of the others involved and show love, grace and patience for them, just as I would want them shown to me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Messages from His Word
Matthew 5:44-45
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.