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)
As Hannah went back to the temple, she witnessed that she had pleaded with God for a son, and He had answered her prayer. She was now keeping her part of the bargain, and left her little son in the temple to serve the Lord as long as he lived. Both of them worshipped the Lord there.
Every time we go to God in prayer we must tell the Lord that we will be His witnesses, and use every answered prayer to bring glory to His name, for when we do so, our prayers will surely be answered.
Hannah is blessed beyond measure
We read in 1 Samuel 2:21, Indeed the LORD visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the young man Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD. (ESV)
Hannah gave up her first born son Samuel to the Lord, and left him at the temple under the care of Eli the priest. The consequence for that action was that the Lord visited Hannah, and blessed her with three other sons and two daughters. God blessed Hannah five-fold. We may wonder as to how it was possible for Hannah to give to the Lord the first-born son whom she so desired, and longed to have? This was because of the intense love that Hannah had for God. Hannah revealed her love for the Lord by her willingness to give her son whom she loved so much. The result of such giving was that the Lord blessed Hannah so richly that she was blessed with five more children.
We must ask ourselves as to how we use all the things that God has entrusted to us. This includes our time, out health, our work and our talents. The question is, ‘Are we using all of these things for our own benefit or are we using them to bring glory to God?’ Someone said it so well, ‘we can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving.’
We read in 1 John 4:8, “The person who doesn't love doesn't know God, because God is love.” (GW)
God is love, and the way God demonstrated His love to us was not with words only but is beautifully explained in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”(ESV)
To the ones who love God, and give as He gave this is what is promised in 1 Corinthians 2:9, But as Scripture says: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him." (GW)
Hannah did not even imagine that when she kept her word, and gave her son Samuel back to God that He would bless her in ways that she could never even imagine or comprehend. The blessings that God desires to pour out on us are always beyond human comprehension.
The next person we will look at is the Shunamite woman.
The Shunamite woman’s hospitality
It is recorded in 2 Kings 4:8-10, One day Elisha was traveling through Shunem, where a rich woman lived. She had invited him to eat with her. So whenever he was in the area, he stopped in to eat. She told her husband, "I know he's a holy man of God. And he regularly travels past our house. Let's make a small room on the roof and put a bed, table, chair, and lamp stand there for him. He can stay there whenever he comes to visit us." (GW)
Every time Elisha went through the town of Shunem, there was a rich woman who invited him to eat at their home. That woman perceived that Elisha was a holy man of God, and therefore she talked to her husband to build a small guest room that would be adequately furnished so that the man of God could stay whenever he visited their place. As we observe the details we realize that the woman made sure that Elisha had a room that was comfortable to stay in.
The need she never mentioned
On one of his visits Elisha said to his servant Gehazi as we read in 2 Kings 4:13, Elisha said to Gehazi, “Ask her what we can do for her, since she has gone to a lot of trouble for us. Maybe she would like us to speak to the king or the commander of the army for her.” She answered, “I’m already living among my own people.”(GW)
The Shunamite woman did not ask for anything though Elisha enquired if she had anything that she needed.
We read in 2 Kings 4:14, “What should we do for her?” Elisha asked. Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.”(GW)
Gehazi was able to perceive that the couple had no child, and brought up this matter to his master Elisha. This woman was so different in that she was so kind and hospitable to Elisha, but did not even think that she should ask the man of God to pray for her to have a child. Probably the Shunamite woman had resigned herself to the thought that since her husband was old that there would be no way for her to have a child.
There are many who have accepted certain lack in their lives, and have reconciled themselves that their situation will never change. When we love God and do things for Him, the Lord will take note and will surely honor and bless us.
Jesus said this in Mark 9:41, I assure you that anyone who gives you a drink of water because you belong to me will certainly receive a reward. (GW)
The woman received a miracle
We read in 2 Kings 4: 15-17, Elisha said, “Call her.” So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway. Elisha said, “At this time next spring, you will hold a baby boy in your arms.” She answered, “Don’t say that, sir. Don’t lie to me. You’re a man of God.” But the woman became pregnant and had a son at that time next year, as Elisha had told her. (GW)
As children of God there are many things that prevent us from living the abundant life that Jesus offers. It is important that we learn to be faithful in everything that God has entrusted to us. Often many people claim that all that they possess, their finances, their home, their time is all theirs, and want to use them only for their own benefit, and satisfaction. We must keep in mind that everything we have is given to us by God. When we chose to be content with the little that God has given to us, we will certainly receive God’s abundant blessings.
We looked at two women from the bible, one was Hannah who cried in desperation to the Lord for a child and promised the Lord that she would give him back to the Lord. The other one is the Shunamite woman who honored Elisha the man of God, was kind and hospitable to him. God honored her kindness when he visited her and blessed her with a son.
Let me conclude with this verse in 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)
It is God’s desire that God wants to make His grace abound towards you so that you will have all sufficiency in all things, and will abound with every good work. Whatever may be lacking in your life, let it be known to God. All that God has entrusted to you, use it well and for His glory. These could be your time, your energy, your talents or your resources. Don’t procrastinate and wait till you are older. If you want to enjoy the abundance that God has in store for you, it is important that we should be faithful, and true in everything that God has given to us.
Observe the prayer of Hannah who prayed fervently, and also kept her word. The Lord blessed her with many children, and changed all of her mourning to dancing. If you have been praying for something for many long years, and have not received the answer its time you told God that you will honor Him with all that you have because everything was given to you by our loving God. It is a fact that as we read in 1 Corinthians 2:9, But as Scripture says: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him." (ESV)
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
