Would YOU Like Me If.....

Would you like Me?

Would you like me if I weighed less? Would you like me if I weighed more or if I were younger or how about being older? Would you like me if I were a certain color or had less gray in my hair? Would you like me if I were taller or spoke like you? Would you like me if I was more  like you?

1 Samuel 1:1-12 This man went from his city year by year to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were the Lord's priests. 4 When the day came that Elkanah sacrifice, he would give to Peninnah his wife and all her sons and daughters portions [of the sacrificial meat]. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but the Lord had given her no children. 6[ This embarrassed and grieved Hanna] & her rival provoked her greatly to vex her, because the Lord had left her childless. 7 So it was year after year; whenever Hannah went up to the Lord's house, Peninnnah provoked her, so she wept and did not eat.  8 Then Elkanah her husband said to her, "Hannah, why do you cry? And why do you not eat? And why are you grieving? am I not more to you than ten sons?" 9 So Hannah rose after they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat beside a post of the temple [tent] of the Lord. 10 And [Hannah] was in distress of soul, praying to the Lord and weeping bitterly. 11 She vowed, saying O Lord of hosts, of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your handmaid and [earnestly ] remember, and not forget Your handmaid but will give me a son, I will give him to the Lord all his life; no razor shall touch his head. 12 And she continued praying before the Lord.....


For Hannah, she lived within a household that held two women! Then factor in she Hannah was favored by her husband Elkanah yet, she Hannah had no children with him. And Peninnah chose to grieve Hannah about it. In verse 7 we find that Peninnah provoked Hannah that she wept and she did not eat.
Now that is serious ....!


In all that is reported to this in scripture, Hannah did not carry a negative thought. Her desire she made mention of it to the Lord and on a regular basis she pursued the Lord for an answer of a son for her and Elkanah.

In all that is reported in scripture on  Hannah, there was nothing found in a negative way about her. Today's culture is really different from what was allowed at that time. Although you do hear from time to time of men having more than one wife. I believe some Muslims have more than one wife at a time. Yet, that would be hard for any woman, and then to have no children with your husband would make life difficult indeed!

Yes, Hannah prayed for years. She had painful experiences and Peninnah chose to aggravate the circumstances within Hannah's life. But Hannah chose prayer. She knew her answer could come and she chose to keep that prayer of supplication going out to the Lord who answers.

Hannah came to a monumental moment when speaking: "I will give him to the Lord all his life."

She chose not to be paralyzed by the fear the other woman imposed upon her. Hannah chose to pray!

   

Yes the culture dictates something different. People write things to be liked. People will do anything to have a following and yet we find in this woman of so many years ago took the road of prayer.'

In this day and time, God still answers with I sent My Son for you. In this hour, He reminds us that it does not matter the skin color, the weight issue or even how tall or short we might be.

For Hannah prayed out of a heart breaking for "a son" and God even knew then the Son He would be giving for the world to be saved.

It should not matter if someone likes us or not. It should matter when we have committed our all to God!

At some point we must be sane about life. At some point we must choose life and the life giving words that come from God alone.

In the strength of prayer time, our communication with Him, we reject the world's chatter and the world's abuse. In choosing the Lord we are under His protection...........and our expectancy is the answer from Him that will bring much light, much love, and deliver us into a restored life we were meant to have from the start!

SAD but true, cruelty appears to be on the rise today. And it appears even among those who lead others. Today as you and I take inventory of our lives, will we see the familiar anguish and pain or has our hope been set in the Lord?

We too, can be like Hannah who received a son. Within the love of God and for His glory, Hannah had a son and he became a prophet, Samuel who ministered unto the LORD!

It is more important to be found with God. Hannah's identity was found in Him, and she secured a son. Her security did not depend on any man. She kept her voice vocal about the goodness of God and prayed. Within that prayer time, she became free to become what God had planned for her.

May we choose to take our identity within God! Set your course with those who will see potential in you. Pursue people who will see where you are going and not from where you came from.

Are there any associations we must eliminate from our lives?

Find those who will encourage you in the Word of God. They will be those who will always send you fed with His life in you. 

Today, leave the dead behind and seek the land of the living. Seeks those who live for God and will encourage you to do the same!

Notice: 

New teaching at: Voice of Prayer  

Take Heed No One Deceives You: Growing Cold

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZReVJymmyLo

New teaching at: Life Giving Wells

Holy Spirit: Was Given......and Reveals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYcLj0xy8-c&t=663s

You can also visit my You Tube channel Voice of Prayer 

for more teaching at:  http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

Also visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching:

http://bit.ly/2wgu1kw