“The Lord…closed her womb.” 1 Samuel 1:5
Seek God, NOT Things!
Sometimes the door will open only when you understand why it was closed in the first place. Consider the story of Hannah: (1) She wanted a son but God wanted a prophet. When she prayed: “If you give me a son, I’ll give him back to You to fulfill Your purposes” (See 1 Samuel 1:11), God not only gave her Samuel, but six more children also (See 1 Samuel 2:5). When you pray for a harvest God will ask you to sow a seed. And that seed may be something you love and want to cling to. Don’t! Surrender it to God. (2) She discovered she couldn’t be satisfied with less than God’s will. Elkanah had two wives, but he loved Hannah the most and granted her “a double portion” of his possessions (See 1 Samuel 1:5). When you’re not doing what you know God’s truly called you to do, the love of people and material things won’t satisfy you. All “ordained” people are not in pulpits! Hannah was ordained to be a mother. You may be ordained to be a secretary, a landscaper or a teacher. Find whatever God has called you to do, and do it! (3) Her desperation led her to her destiny. “The Lord…closed her womb.” Why? To get Hannah’s attention, to draw her closer to Himself. Hard times cause us to re-examine our lives and seek God as never before. Our emphasis changes from “Lord, here’s what I want” to “Lord, what do You want?” Then He blesses us, because “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Till He comes…