Hearing the word no may be discouraging—no echoes off the walls at home, school, and work. The authority figure may choose tactful words to give you an unwanted answer. The result is still no. How do you respond when God tells you no? Most of us accept His answer as the final answer. Then, some wonder why God said no.
Hannah, in I Samuel chapter one, thought, prayed and continued to pray about God’s answer. To make things worse, another lady made fun of her. You see, Hannah wanted to have a child. But, God had other plans. The Lord’s no was, “It’s not the right time.” Peninnah, Hannah’s husband’s second wife, had a growing family. In Old Testament times, men had multiple wives. Peninnah made fun of Hannah’s barrenness, especially on their annual pilgrimage to Shiloh to worship.
During one pilgrimage, Hannah got serious with God regarding her prayer for a male child. She prayed fervently with tears for a son. The prayer continued with a more profound commitment. I’ll return him to you if you honor my request. God answered her prayer.
After weaning the new child, Samuel, Hannah gave her son to the high priest, Eli, to raise him in the House of the Lord. So, Samuel grew up to serve God. All of Israel knew our Lord used the prophet Samuel to turn Israel back to God.
Israel’s revival started with a woman’s burden. Barren, but not prayerless. The prayer of one woman changed the nation. Unlike Eli and his sons, her son was the man God used to bring respect to God’s work. You are the Lord’s servant.
You can change the destiny of your family, community, or church. So, forget about your present status. Stay faithful and pray. Eternity will reveal how God answers your commitment.
