TODAY’S MEDITATION – Unblocking a blocked situation (1 Samuel 1:1-20)

Most of the time, when things are not running in our lives the way we have planned them, we start wondering ‘is God really with me? Has God forgotten me while dealing with others? Why? Why? Why?’ And the sadness with such thoughts is when people become accusers of their bretherns like the devil, when they do not accuse the devil himself for being behind the door that seems not to open. Today, my brother, my sister, have the firm assurance that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)… Now, do you love God and do you know that he called you according to His purpose? If you answered ‘YES’… so today also know that closed doors don’t necessarily mean that the devil is attacking you. Jesus invited you to stay connected to the true vine (John 15:1), where the devil will always try but will never success. Therefore, see any hitch, any obstacle, any closed door that is stubbornly refusing to open in your life as an opportunity God may be using to talk to you, to draw your attention or simply to make you become dependent on Him alone. To better understand this, let’s recall Hannah!

Hannah felt sad and used to cry and stop eating due to sadness because she could not have a child her rival was mocking her and “This went on year after year” (1 Samuel 1:7). Then, one day, she understood that her tears were not going to change her situation. So, instead of complaining to people, instead of crying all her tears in self-pity, she turned to God: “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head” (verses 10-11). You see, while Hannah was still focused on herself and on what people say or do as far as she was concerned, she could not even take the right decision: to turn to the only one who could make things change! Sometimes, we think we have turned to God and given Him an unwanted situation, but in fact we have done so with our mouth, not with our heart. Hannah cried bitterly and made a vow, just to consolidate her decision before the Lord, because that vow was going to be a reminder for her that she needs to depend on God alone. Now, look at Hannah’s reaction after making her vow to God. She did no longer cry, but prayed fervently…

My friend, making a vow to God does not mean you have nothing else to do. You still need to ensure you draw closer to Him. And that’s what she did. Serving God does not guarantee you anything… you still need to draw closer to Jesus in prayers! Because open doors happen when God see how determined you are and how serious your request is to you. She made a vow, but God still needed to see if she depends on Him. So, as she continue praying, even the servant of God was not able to recognise her: crying Hannah had now confident Hannah, and despite the servant of God thinking she was drunk, she could now voice out her heart’s desire in a way that paved the way to her blessing:”Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” (verse 15), as now, the servant of God joined her in her prayer. My friend, do you remember? “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19). Yes, what was now needed was for Hannah to agree with a person in her prayer and God’s servant was thatperson: “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him” (verse 17)… and even the next morning, she did not go to pray alone this time: “Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah” (verse 19). This is truth of the Gospel: you do not walk alone with the Lord Jesus Christ! Then the situation that was blocked was unblockked by the Lord Himself who originally blocked it (verse 5). May those who have ears hear! May God give you the wisdom to understand His Word for a transformed life. Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.