Topic: The Lord shut up Hannah’s womb
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 1-3; Luke 9:1-27.
Memory Verse: “But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.” 1 Samuel 1:5 (KJV)
There is no record in the Bible that Hannah committed any sin before her womb was shut. But there are records to show that this problem made her bitter because she had the second wife to her husband, Peninah, provoking her for her barrenness. 1 Samuel 1:6 (KJV) says, “And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.” This story is in the Bible to teach us lessons.
The problem of Hannah is barrenness but your problem may be different; it may be relationship, academics, financial, sickness amongst others. Such a problem may not be due to any sin like in the case of Hannah but because God wants to give you a test of faith which will lead to patience, then experience, and hope (Romans 5:2-5) which should strengthen you more in the Lord such that you now surrender to the will of God.
Hannah was not only facing the challenge of barrenness, her adversary was bent on making her miserable thus adding insult upon injury. But she went through the process trusting God and ended up making a covenant with God that if he could give her a son, she would dedicate him to His service and this pleased God and He opened her womb.
It’s important to note that when facing challenges, rather than help, some people try to complicate your difficulty by making jest of you, provoking you with a view to making you miserable so that you will abandon your cause for their own advantage. However, there is always another ray of hope close to you such that if you are patient you will see it. Hannah’s husband is that person as He loved her even in her situation. 1 Samuel 1:5 (KJV) says, “But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.”
What are you going through? What kind of challlenge are you facing that is not only causing you sorrow but its been made worse by your adversary? it is meant to draw you closer to God by placing your faith in Him and continuously seek His guidance. God has made it a lot easier for us in this dispensation because you have been given the Holy Spirit who will guide you to a safe landing if you follow His leading. Some adversaries may be very close to you such as the wife of Job who asked him to curse God and die! Thank God, he did not folllow her evil counsel. Similarly, you may have several evil Counsellors around you; do not yield to any counsel that will draw you farther from your maker who alone can help you to weather the storm. That’s why you are urged by the Lord in Philippians 4:6 (KJV), “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Whatever is your current challenge, draw closer to God so that you can get the solution; it is not meant to drown you but to strengthen your faith in the Almighty.
Prayer: Father, please let every challenge of my life draw me closer to You and keep me under Your shadow continually in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero