I heard the Lord speak these words recently:
"Rejoice, and again I say rejoice. For I am encouraging you to keep a heart of rejoicing. Because I have heard your heart cries, and have begun to move in ways that seem impossible to you in the past. Rejoice in advance for the greater things that are to come. Do not look at the current or recent circumstances, but look to Me. For I have granted you My favor, just as I have granted Hannah My favor."Let's read 1 Samuel 1 to see the details of what happened to Hannah.
1 Samuel 1:1-3 (NKJV) says, 'Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah... And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh...'
When Elkanah made an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah, and all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah, he would give a double portion, because he loved Hannah. However, Peninnah would provoke her severely to make her miserable. Therefore Hannah wept and did not eat (1 Samuel 1:4-7).
Interestingly, the name 'Hannah' in Hebrew means 'Favored', from the word 'khawnan' meaning 'to favor'; whereas the name 'Elkanah' in Hebrew can mean 'God has created, God has redeemed, God has purchased'. Therefore, 'Hannah' is a 'picture' of you, beloved and favored of the Lord who has created, redeemed, and purchased you by the Blood of the Lamb.
Interestingly, the name 'Hannah' in Hebrew means 'Favored', from the word 'khawnan' meaning 'to favor'; whereas the name 'Elkanah' in Hebrew can mean 'God has created, God has redeemed, God has purchased'. Therefore, 'Hannah' is a 'picture' of you, beloved and favored of the Lord who has created, redeemed, and purchased you by the Blood of the Lamb.
Now, depending on who says it, words can either bring blessing or misery. In Hannah's situation, the words of her rival (Peninnah) affected Hannah rather badly, and she was deeply grieved due to those constant words of provocation.
People of God, like Hannah, maybe you too have your share of 'Peninnahs' in this world; and due to your current (but temporary) 'barrenness' or 'lack of breakthrough' in certain areas of your life, your 'Peninnahs' have been piling misery on you with their unkind words. But take heart, because just as for Hannah, the Lord remembers you, and He is a God who hears the cries of your heart.
In her 'barrenness' and 'childlessness', Hannah then promised God that if He would give her a male child, she would give him to the Lord all the days of his life. As she continued praying, Eli the priest saw her lips moving, but her voice was not heard. Therefore, Eli thought she was drunk. But Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord." (1 Samuel 1:15)
People of God, like Hannah, maybe you too have your share of 'Peninnahs' in this world; and due to your current (but temporary) 'barrenness' or 'lack of breakthrough' in certain areas of your life, your 'Peninnahs' have been piling misery on you with their unkind words. But take heart, because just as for Hannah, the Lord remembers you, and He is a God who hears the cries of your heart.
In her 'barrenness' and 'childlessness', Hannah then promised God that if He would give her a male child, she would give him to the Lord all the days of his life. As she continued praying, Eli the priest saw her lips moving, but her voice was not heard. Therefore, Eli thought she was drunk. But Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord." (1 Samuel 1:15)
Eli then answered and said, "Go in peace and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him." (1 Samuel 1:17) Upon hearing these words, Hannah went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad (1 Samuel 1:18). In other words, she believed what Eli the priest had said, and she began to rejoice! Do you see something here? Just one sentence from Eli the priest settles it all!
A priest, by the way, is a 'picture' of someone representing the Lord. You see, Peninnah's words through the years had no more effect the moment Hannah heard Eli's words! It's like all those negative words have been totally wiped away! No more room for Peninnah's words! No more vacancy for Peninnah's words! Because Hannah's mind was now filled with the words that proceed from the mouth of the Lord! She never looked back ever since. Let it be so for you too!
Soon after she returned with Elkanah to their house at Ramah, Hannah indeed conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel (1 Samuel 1:19-20). And for all the 'pounding' and 'provocation' by her rival against her in the past many years, the Lord began to 'redeem' her and 'visit' her again and again, so much so she conceived and bore three more sons and two daughters! (1 Samuel 2:21) Speaking of being totally set free and entering the realm of breakthrough! Hallelujah!
People of God, just as Eli the priest spoke over Hannah those days, the Lord wants to speak over your life today! This is the time to believe that your breakthrough has come, and you are moving to the next level! This is the time to declare that you are set free from the words of your 'Peninnahs' - words that sought to steal, kill, and destroy your life (and your destiny)! Let the Lord your God speak life into you right now, and declare that He has granted! In Jesus' mighty name. Amen!
