God Has Not Given Up on You
There was a man named Elkanah who lived in Ramah in the region of Zuph, in the hill country of Ephraim. Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not.
Each year, Elkanah would travel to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of Heaven's Armies at the Tabernacle. On those occasions, he would give portions of the sacrifice to Peninnah and her children. Though he loved Hannah deeply, she had no children, and Peninnah constantly taunted and mocked her because of it. Year after year, Hannah endured this pain, and she would weep and refuse to eat.
One day, Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. The priest Eli initially thought she was drunk, but when he understood her sorrow, he said to her: "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to Him." (1 Samuel 1:1- 17 ESV).
Hello, yes, you who are reading this today: God has not given up on you.
I know the world is tougher than it should be. Things are harder than you expected. But don't give up.
Hannah once thought she would never have a child. Yet one word of encouragement changed her outlook: "Go in peace". She chose to believe that God had heard her prayer. You may have been crying out to God. You may feel broken, tired, and fed up. But what if you chose to believe, "I can go in peace because God has heard me"? Sleepless nights, wet pillows, and a crowded mind, do not give up. Be encouraged by this: Hannah eventually had six children according to the Bible (1 Samuel 2:21). If someone had told her during her season of pain that she would one day have six children, she might not have believed it. Yet God showed her mercy and came through for her.
The one blessing that is coming your way will open the door to many more blessings, in Jesus' name.
The Bible says: "Her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her." (1 Samuel 1:6 ESV) In the same way, people may be mocking you, overlooking you, or making you feel insignificant. But it will not last forever. God has the final say. His ways are not our ways, and His plans are far greater than ours. Therefore, we do not lose heart (2 Corinthians 4:16). May God bless you, strengthen you, and work all things together for your good. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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