Hannah's Character

[S] 1 Samuel 1:6-7 --
 ⁶Her rival, however, would provoke her bitterly to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb.
 ⁷It happened year after year, as often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she would provoke her; so she wept and would not eat.

[O] Hannah's rival provoked her bitterly whenever they went up to worship God at the house of the Lord.  Wouldn't you know it?  This is once a year time to go worship and that's the time Peninnah provokes Hannah even more.  Why is this scene so familiar?  I see this many times among believers where on Sundays when we're supposed to be coming to worship God, we instead attend to show off who is better than others and how this can break down the working of the Holy Spirit in the body of believers.  Instead of edifying one another, we tear each other apart inside out.

Out of such pain, Hannah went to the Lord and clung on to Him.  God heard Hannah's prayer and answered her, and she kept her promise of dedicating her child to be the priest.  I like this woman, Hannah, and that's why I named my girl Hannah because of her persistence, endurance, and complete trust in God.  She did not let her rival take control of her life.  Instead, she turned it over to God and used by Him to bring forth a wonderful man of God, Samuel.

[A] When oppositions press on me to provoke anger within me and to hurt me deeply, I should be like Hannah where I would turn to God instead of turning to my foes with my own vengeance.  I am very grateful for this woman's character which God used to accomplish His greater plan of sending His servant to lead His people.

[P] Dear God, grant me the faith of Hannah.  Use me to bring forth Your servant to lead Your people in this world of turmoil.  May You bless my children and use them as Your instruments of leading Your people down the right paths.  In Your precious name.  Amen.