Faith beyond the adversary

 

Text: 1 Samuel 1:5-6 (KJV)

And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb. And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

Friends, adversary and delays can come in different shades and shapes today either as a voice, a situation, fear or as a person just like Peninnah came as person to Hannah even as her mate and she provoked her to sore.  However, the whole purpose was to discourage, frustrate and depress her that will affect her faith in God. But her faith was beyond the adversary. Romans 8:35,37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. But, thanks be to God for Hannah rather remaining in pain, weeping without eating, drinking even with a grieved heart, she rose up to Shiloh as went to God in prayer. Yes, she continued in prayer as she poured out her soul before God as a woman with a sorrowful spirit. And our faith can also come a life today.

Amazingly, despite the provocation and opposition that brought about tears and distress, Hannah did not give up on her faith in God and in the altar of prayer, rather her assurance is that God will deliver at the time appointed.  Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. Hence, the intense mocking year by year increased her confidence in God that He is able to change her pain to purpose. Therefore, we must learn to trust God even when the discouragement voice is loud enough to pull one down but patience will see us through. James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. So, it is in persistence that the Lord remembered her. I pray we shall not give up because our joy is here in Jesus name.

PRAYER POINT:

1.       Father, may our faith shine brighter and brighter at the phase of adversity for a net breaking testimony in the presence of our enemies in Jesus name.

ACTION QUOTE: Remember, the adversary does not have the final say but has all the say.