Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria Grace for Living Devotional Saturday September 9, 2023 TOPIC: WHEN WEEPING PROVOKES HEAVEN

BIBLE READING:

1 SAMUEL 1:10-17

10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. 11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. 12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth. 13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. 15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. 17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.  

KEY VERSE:

“And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her.” 1 Samuel 1:19  

MEDITATION:

Life in this physical world is full of trials and challenges. And these come to different people in different ways. Even believers are not exempted from life challenges. In fact, those who are striving to attain greater heights in Christ seem to be the prime target of life trials and turbulence. Of course, there is no place in the Scriptures where God promises His children a problem-free life. Rather, He promises support and a way out, (Isaiah 45:2).  

Today’s bible reading talks about Hannah’s experience with delay in conception and how she took her problem to God. Whereas Hannah’s co-wife, Peninnah was freely having children, she could not conceive. Hannah’s challenge of barrenness reduced her to a subject of ridicule before her rival daily. This looks like living with a terrorist in the same house! Interestingly, Hannah petitioned heaven instead of protesting against her provoker.  

“Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. It means that she poured out her heart to God in believing faith. God heard the sound of her heart not that of her mouth; and saw her deep trust in God backed up by her desperate tears. She provoked heaven because her weeping was a sign of total submission to God’s ability to solve problems. There is nothing too hard for God. No matter how bad your case appears, take it to God in payer!  

How do you react to those who wrongfully make themselves your rivals when they maliciously mock you in times of life’s storms?   

PRAYER:

Lord, may my supplicating weeping provoke heaven to attend to me.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

PSALMS 120-135, 1 CORINTHIANS 13