Against All Hope

Are you going through any challenge that makes you wonder if God is actually listening to you? You have prayed, done vigils, and fasted yet no results? You have done all manner of deliverances yet to no avail? You have asked the Lord for forgiveness from sins you cannot even remember when you committed them. On top of all this, you are facing daily taunting from people that are around you that ought to empathize with you. The story of Hannah in 1Samuel 1 comes to mind. She was the first wife of Elkanah, a deeply religious family. He married another wife named Peninnah probably because of the childlessness of Hannah. Yearly they go up to the House of God in Shiloh to pray and offer sacrifices. Despite all this, Hannah’s state did not change. One can only imagine her state of mind when it was time to go the House of the Lord for sacrifice. So many at this point have turned back and stopped following because they believe the afflictions they are going through is beyond redemption; as a result, they stop fellowshipping and praying altogether. They have lost hope and do not see a resolution in sight. The Bible recorded concerning Hannah that her rival taunted her severely and relentlessly because of her condition; and we could see that this went on for several years. However, her lack of childbirth was not as a result of any sin she may have committed but God chose to close her womb. Peninnah may have asked her where the God she so piously serves is. She may have even used her children to taunt her. These taunting were so severe that the Bible says that Hannah wept bitterly because of them. Where do you go to when the afflictions get severe that you can’t bear them any longer? The Bible says after the family meal, Hannah stood up and went to pray. Friend, don’t just sit down feeling sorry for yourself, rise like Jacob and Hannah; rise up from all that weigh you down or may distract you and wrestle with the Lord by pouring your heart out concerning the issues that have constituted an affliction in your life, “Deeply hurt Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept with many tears.” 1Samuel 1:10.  When Jesus Christ was on the Cross, the criminals, Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes taunted Him relentlessly to prove that He is the Son of God. However, Jesus Christ has risen from the grave; the bodies of those that taunted Him are still in theirs! Friend, the very people that rose up to taunt you will return to declare that the name of God be praised on your behalf. It is God that “…raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the garbage pile. He seats them with noblemen and gives them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; He has set the world on them.” 1Samuel 2:8. Father Abraham, against all hope, with hope he believed that God Who gives life to things that are dead and calls things into existence that do not exist, IS ABLE to carry out all He has said concerning him. Friend, this hope does not DISAPPOINT! Like Hannah pour your heart out to the Lord in faith believing that it is POSSIBLE AND DONE! Rise up and do not be downcast but believe that this thing will result in the glory of God and your edification! God bless you!