At the Right Time…

Daily Devotional – Tuesday, November 30, 2021

“I, the LORD, will hasten it in its time.” 

Isaiah 60:22 (NKJV)

No one in the village envied Hannah. She was barren. Some attributed her predicament to a supposed secret sin. Perhaps she was suffering because of evil committed by her parents; others might have concluded. 

It is likely that Hannah was a pariah in the marketplace. Even when she mingled with other women, she was the subject of gossip. How could she be childless at her age? Of what value was she to her husband and society? 

As if that was not enough, Hannah had a co-wife who rejoiced in irritating the barren woman. Peninah did not give Hannah peace. At the slightest opportunity, she reminded Hannah that she was not woman enough. 

If the two co-wives lived today, Penina would accuse Hannah of procuring abortions to deny Elkanah children. The evil woman would remind the barren one that only the children born to Elkanah would inherit their father’s property. 

An Anguished Soul Pleads with God

Hannah’s tears flowed freely. Would her troubles ever end? Had God forgotten her? Elkanah sympathized with his infertile wife. He tried cheering her up by giving her a double portion when the family went to worship at Shiloh.

One day while at the tabernacle, “she was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish.” (1 Samuel 1:10). Hannah couldn’t take it any longer. She poured out her heart to God. Eli, the priest, thinking Hannah was drunk, reprimanded her. 

This was Hannah’s day. God must hear her prayer. By the time she was done with her prayer, she was confident that God had heard her. Her faith was so strong, she “went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” (1 Samuel 1:18).

Faith Gives Thanks before Results are Manifested

Hannah exemplifies the words of Jesus: “Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24). Faith thanks and praises God for answered prayer even before the results are manifested.

The next nine months were pregnant with embarrassment for Peninah. God ashamed those who had pretended to know His mind and condemned the innocent Hannah. When the right time came, the boy who would later become the prophet and judge of Israel, Samuel, was born.

At the Right Time, God will do it

Like Hannah, you might have waited for God to answer your prayers for so long that you despair. Perhaps you have become the laughing stock of those who have no idea what God is doing in the background. 

Don’t give up. Believe God’s promise through Isaiah: “I, the LORD, will hasten it in its time.” (Isaiah 60:22). Your Samuel moment is coming soon. Your tormentors will have nothing to taunt you with. They will turn away in shame. Your tears of sorrow will be replaced by tears of joy.

It is just a matter of time. Hold on there. It won’t be long.

Loving Father, give me more faith, patience, and perseverance as I wait for Your time to answer my prayers.