The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 16 September 2024 — Go In Peace!
TOPIC: Go In Peace!
READ: 1 Samuel 1: 1-18 (KJV)
1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:
2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.
4 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:
5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb.
6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb.
7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.
8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord.
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.
11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth.
13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.
16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
THE MESSAGE:
Hannah was one of the two wives of Elkanah. Although her husband loved her, she was not happy in the marriage because she was barren. Her rival, Peninnah, who had children occasionally provoked her because of her barrenness. Whenever Elkanah’s family went to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice, Hannah would be sad and weep because of Peninnah’s provocations.
At one occasion in Shiloh, Hannah prayed intensely and vowed that if God would remember her and give her a son, she would give back the child to Him. Eli, the Priest, who thought she was drunken did caution her; but later told her to go in peace for God would answer her. Are you under attack in your marriage or family? Is your husband or wife making life difficult for you? Do not engage in strife or quarrel. Christians should not engage in anger, malice or filthy language (Col.3. Rather put on love and allow the peace of God to rule in our hearts (Col.3: 14-15). Do you provoke people by your words and actions? You must repent! When provoked, you should take it to God in prayer and you will leave His presence joyfully to go in peace.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, please grant me grace to pray whenever I am disturbed in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
