God Honors Those Who Honor Him

We will continue our meditation based on 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” (KJV)

When we read this verse in the Message translation it reads this way; 2 Corinthians 9:8, “God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.” (MSG)

It is God’s desire that as He pours out His blessings on us in ways that are beyond our understanding that we should have all sufficiency and should abound in every good work.

Let me highlight a couple of incidents from the bible to explain this point.

We read in 1 Samuel 1:2, “Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not.” (NLT)

There was a man named Elkanah who had two wives. In the Old Testament days it was common for a man to have more than one wife. The name of his first wife was Hannah, and the name of his second wife was Peninnah. As we continue to read we observe that Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. The lack of a child was felt much by Hannah who was disheartened, and discouraged that she was unable to bear a child in spite of all their efforts.

It seems sometimes that one little lack in our lives can prevent us from enjoying all the other good things that God has bestowed on us. Often times we hope that the one thing that troubles us or disturbs us will be removed so we can have a different life.

Hannah cried out to the Lord

When Hannah had come to the end of her tether, she decided to do this. We read in 1 Samuel 1:10-11, Hannah was brokenhearted and was crying as she prayed, "LORD All-Powerful, I am your servant, but I am so miserable! Please let me have a son. I will give him to you for as long as he lives, and his hair will never be cut." (CEV)

Hannah was so broken, and knew there was nothing she could do, except take her petition to the Lord with tears. Her prayer was turned towards the Lord of Hosts or Lord of the armies because to Hannah the situation seemed like she was in a battle. She feared that she would lose this battle, and hence she looked up to the Lord of Hosts who is all-powerful. We see that Hannah was specific in her prayer, and pleaded with God to give her a son.

Hannah prayed and asked the Lord that if He would grant her request, and give her a son that she would give him back to the Lord for as long as he lived, and that his hair would never be cut.

Have you noticed how when we are in a desperate situation we run to people, seek their counsel and when we come to the end of ourselves we then turn to God. Many people like Hannah are faced with fights and struggles in their families, and have no clue as to how they can get out of them. Only in the presence of God, as we earnestly petition to Him, will we be sure to find solutions that will change our circumstances. There are many requests that we place before the Lord, but often they are for our own selfish desires and for our own enjoyment.

God answered Hannah’s prayer

We read in 1 Samuel 1:20, And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the LORD.” (ESV)

There was a time of waiting, but in due time Hannah conceived, and bore a son whom she named Samuel. We see that Hannah’s disgrace, hurt and pain were all gone, and she was the mother of a baby boy. Hannah did not have a guarantee that she would have more children after she gave birth to Samuel. There were two options before Hannah. She could have been satisfied that she had her son, and continued on with her life, or she could take her son, and leave him at the temple just as she had vowed to the Lord.

Sometimes we don’t have the blessings of God in its bounty, because we ask for our selfish desires only. We do not think that when God answers our prayers and grants our requests, that we should be a blessing, and witness to others about His goodness in our lives.

Hannah fulfilled her vow

Hannah on the other hand did exactly as she had pledged to the Lord.

We read in 1 Samuel 1:27-28, I asked him for this child, and he gave me what I asked for. So I am dedicating him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he will belong to the LORD." Then they worshiped the LORD there. (GNB)