DAY 8: THE JEWISH QUEEN OF A PERSIAN KING (Esther 1-10)

Yeey!!! Look who we have here. QUEEN ESTHER.

I haven’t met any young girl yet who didn’t want to be like Esther. In fact, I know many ladies who were named Esther simply after the Biblical character. I love Esther. I just love her. The book of Esther is one book I read completely at a go.

I know we all know the story of Esther and how she became queen. In fact, if I don’t give you any prayer pointers, I am sure you will find more than enough things to pray about before you get to the end of the book of Esther.

As I read from chapter one on to chapter two, the beginning for Esther is when the person in charge of the women took a liking to her. Come to think of it. He was in charge of the women so definitely he has come across all types of women. Short, tall, chubby, slim, dark, light, you name it. However, the Bible records that He liked Esther and took special interest in her, quickly provided her with her cosmetics, (I love the way The Message puts this one) Ordered special food for her, gave her seven of the best maids and gave her the best room. Come on! Come on!!

Let me not even begin to take you on a descriptive journey of my imagination of that whole scenario.

PRAYERS

Being a Jew meant that Esther was brought up in the ways of Yahweh – The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I believe that Esther knew God personally too such that she exuded the presence of God. Else, how do we justify Esther being liked of all the many young women that were in the palace for the same purpose as she?

1. Lord everywhere I go, whether I am alone or in the midst of other people; let your presence in my life single me out. I declare Lord today that I stand out. I am given special attention and privileges. I am given the best when good things are been given. Even though what I need is available, A special order is made for me.

Every girl went to see the King with something. She had the choice to select whatever she wanted. I can imagine there were gold, diamonds, pearls, and all sort of great treasures; and If you and I were in such time, perhaps, we would have gone for the most sophisticated to showcase ourselves. In Esther’s case, she didn’t just pick anything. Even though I am sure that if she had asked for something custom made, Hegai would have obliged. Instead she took what Hegai recommended. Did you get it? Hegai has been in the palace long enough to know what was best to take along. Sometimes, we look down and neglect the subtle recommendations of those who know better than us because they are in a position that is not (let’s say) “BIG”

2. Lord, help me choose humility and contentment over the need to show. I declare today that I will be humble to inquire the advise or recommendation of they that know better than me even if they are my junior or subordinate. The bible says, “pride comes before disaster but humility comes before respect.” I declare that I will not for a moment of public applause throwaway the lifetime of respect that being humble brings.

Now Esther was Queen but the Bible recorded that she still did what Mordecai told her. Have you thrown away all you learnt now that you are married? Some of us were on fire for the Lord before marriage and now we can’t even find the sticks to make a fire.

3. Lord I confess [Mention them] and I ask for your mercy today. Let there be an outpouring of your spirit upon me. As I remember how it all was, take me back Lord as I start all over. I receive the grace not to take my hands out of yours as I go through life.

If you are yet to know the Lord and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour, please do confess all your sins to Him and ask Him to come take his rightful place in your heart. He wants to but you need to give Him the go-ahead.

So it happened that Mr. Haman’s request for the massacre of the Jews was granted and Esther got to know about it. Without going into details of the story, what stands out to me is that it was Esther’s maids and eunuchs that brought the information to her. It was also one of the Eunuch that was the messenger to and from Mordecai. We even see her saying she and her maids would fast. This points to the fact that the maids were believers but I don’t think Jewish. Esther’s life must have drawn them to God. How many people who work for you or with you want to serve the God you claim to serve?

4. Lord, I will be a representative of you. Your presence in my life which has made me a changed woman would make those around me want to know you. I declare today that my life will be a complete reflection of who you are and my attitude will show the way of Christ to others.

Lastly, Timing. Timing!!! In God’s government, timing is key. Esther found favour before the King and had the opportunity to ask for anything she wanted even if it was half of the Kingdom. Well, one would have expected her to just report Haman but nope. She waited for the right time to make her request which led to other requests for her people.

5. Lord, put within my heart the understanding of the times. Help me not to be in a haste to see results that I speak at the wrong time and lose my opportunity. No matter how desperate I am, help me to learn and practice patience too.

DAY 7 – THE WOMEN BEHIND THE SCENE (Judges 13:2-14, Exodus 4:24-26)

There are so many women who work behind the scene in scriptures. While they are not main characters or have books in their name like Esther and Ruth, the part they played were too important not to mention. That’s why we have them mentioned in scriptures. These women, let me put it in modern day terms, are not celebrities.

Heard of Manoah’s wife? Heard of Zipporah? If you haven’t, I know you’ve heard of Samson and Moses. The Former is Samson’s mother and the latter is Moses’ wife.

What was Zipporah’s story? Her quick action in circumcising her younger son saved Moses’ life.

I want to believe that the whole burning bush and going back to Egypt experience and conversation that Moses and God had sort of made Moses forget to circumcise their younger son. Now circumcision is a command of God to his people and so with Moses not doing that, he sinned against God. Now this is one some will refer to as the sin by omission. If you are like me, you will say, “But God was sending him to go deliver his people. How come God was also going to kill him? How will he deliver the Israelites if God killed him?” Well, God doesn’t tolerate sin whatsoever. Irrespective of who commits it. Zipporah’s quick action caused God to spare Moses’ life. Zipporah saved her husband from destruction.

Monoah’s wife on the other hand brings to us lessons of great belief in God and sacrifice. She didn’t have a child and when the angel of God visited her to let her know she would be having a child which was going to be a Nazirite, she believed immediately and was ready to do as God commanded. She didn’t raise any objection or refute the instruction. She received it with great faith.

I must mention that the Nazarite vow was usually done for a short period, but in Manoah’s wife’s case, it was first for 9months then for years after Samson was born.

Wondering what the Nazirite Vow is? Read up on it in Numbers 6.

PRAYERS

I don’t know how long Manoah’s wife had been barren but I want to believe she must have prayed severally for a child. And to now have an angel visit her and tell her she would have a child and she didn’t argue or ask questions is not something many women would do. If we have longed for something for so long and someone comes to tell us God said we will have it, we will first ask when? Then how? And many more questions.

1. Lord, it can be hard sometimes to believe when you say we will have what we really want, especially if we have wanted it for a long time and didn’t have it. Today I pray that I would believe and have faith when you say you are fulfilling my heart’s desire. Take away every form of doubt from me and fill me with faith that can move mountains.

Sometimes, what God calls us to do, even though it won’t kill us can be hard to do. Samson’s mother was going to do something usually done for a short time for a long time. Now this was with little to no preparation. She had to embark on the Nazirite vow almost immediately. If it were you and I, we would ask God for time to prepare. Another thing is that I am sure she wasn’t the only barren woman in the land. However, I am sure God saw her as the only barren woman who would obey and adhere to his instructions completely.

2. Lord, find me worthy to carry out your assignments. I pray Lord today that no matter how hard the assignment is, you will give me the grace to obey you completely. I decree Lord today that I will not be a disappointment to you.

Samson was to be a Nazirite from birth. So this means Mama Samson and Mr. Manoah had to be Nazirite too. What Samson could not eat or come near could not be in the house if they must truly carry out God’s instruction to the letter.

3. Lord, help me recognize the path you have called me/[Husband’s name]/[Child(ren)’s name] to follow. Whatever I need to do to ensure total obedience from me/[Husband’s name]/[Child(ren)’s name], help me to do it for as long as I should.

Usually its the man that performs the circumcision. This mean it was Moses’ responsibility to circumcise his younger son. However, Zipporah seeing that God was about to kill her husband didn’t wait for the traditional way; but instead swung into action, circumcising the boy and in turn saving her husband’s life.

4. Lord, help me to be alert and quick. When I need to take action or make a decision, give me extra quick reflexes that don’t wait for traditions and cultures; but instead will make the right call and decision without delay.

It’s good to think things through. However, sometimes we need to act without thinking.

5. Lord, help me to know when to think and when to act. May I not act when I need to think and think when I need to act. When I don’t know the difference Lord, make the call on my behalf.

DAY 6 – THE HEBREW WOMEN IN EGYPT (Exodus 1:17-20, 2:1-10)

The women we are studying about today played their various roles beautifully in fulfilling God’s future plan to rescue the Israelites from Egypt.

First are the Hebrew Midwives – Shiphrah and Puah. We all know their story. The midwives who didn’t follow the King’s instruction to kill the Hebrew male children as soon as they were born. The fear of God in them made them not to obey Pharaoh and instead let the baby boys live.

Now, take a journey with me into my imaginative world. “Assuming we all are midwives and there is such an instruction given, will you do it?”
Don’t be quick to answer me, Let it be a self reflective question.

Second is Jochebed – Moses’ mother. At the time Moses was born, Pharaoh had moved on to his plan B – drowning of the male children in the Nile; when his plan A which was killing the newborn boys didn’t yield results. Now here is Moses, a handsome boy and Mama couldn’t imagine him drowned. Quickly she acted by hiding him. (how she successfully did it is something I’ll find for another day) However, she soon realized she could no more hide him and so she decided to let him go. Interesting thing is that He was at the same Nile. (again, topic for another time)

Third here is Mariam – Moses’ big sister. Big Sister kept watch on the basket which had little baby brother. She was the there when Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses. One thing that stands out to me is that immediately Mariam heard the Princess say, “this is a Hebrew child.” She asked if she should go get a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby. And the princess said yes. At this point the baby Moses who was let go, returned back to not just any Hebrew woman but his own Mom but this time by royal request to nurse him.

Sometimes in our bid to hold on to something, we end up losing it. If Moses had stayed, one extra day later at home, who knows he would have been found and drowned in the Nile.

Many times, when we let go of what we hold onto and let God, it comes back better.

PRAYERS

I am sure that Shiphrah and Puah were ready for whatever consequences the King was going to mete if they were caught; but to them, the fear of God was much bigger than any instructions that violated their belief.

1. Father, I CHOOSE YOU FIRST! When I am faced with the choice of obeying you or obeying the evil instruction of a leader at home, at work, in my community and anywhere; FATHER, I CHOOSE YOU. Psalm 25:12 says you show the best way to the person who fears the Lord. If it is against the word of God, I choose you first and I believe that you will show me the best way always.

No mother wants their child drowned so it was only natural for Jochebed to hide Moses. However, when Plan A was up, She swung into plan B. I want to believe, she trusted God to keep her child.

2. Dear Lord, before I run out of option 1, Set before me the guidelines and instructions for option 2. As I do as instructed and play my part, help me to trust you to come in and do your part.

Now Moses’ basket could have been kept anywhere on the Nile. However, it was placed in a rather unique place – by the tall trees at the edge of the river. Location play an important role in God’s agenda. Moses’ basket was nicely located in the area where anyone who was to take a bath would naturally go to – behind tall trees.

3. Father, I decree today that I will always be located at the exact path of He/She/They that will help me, make a change in my life and deliver me from every planned destruction.

I mentioned earlier that Mariam didn’t wait for a question to be asked. She asked the question that already had an answer. There are times that we need to ask the question because we already know the answer. If Mariam had not asked, it was likely that the Princess would have told her maidens to go get her a Hebrew woman and any Hebrew woman would have been given the job. Mariam’s singular action made Moses return back to his Mom to care properly for him based on a royal request.

4. Lord, may I not be far from where my helper is. Before they open their mouth to make their request, reveal to me the thoughts of their heart and put upon my lips the right question to ask. Even if my first instinct is to stay Silent, push the words out of my mouth quickly.

5. Lord help me know when to let go of what I am holding on to, to give room for what is coming my way.

DAY 5 – THE BRAVE PRINCESS/AUNT, JEHOSHEBA (2 Kings 11:1-3, 2 Chronicles 22:10-12)

I don’t remember reading about Jehosheba ever. I may have but I never paid attention. As I read about her for this challenge, I was wowed at what a woman she was indeed. Even though she wasn’t talked about so much and is just mentioned within two verses of the scripture, she played a major role in biblical history.

For those who don’t know her, she was the brave Aunt slash Princess whose action preserved a lineage from being wiped off the surface of the earth.

Now, when the King’s mother – Athaliah – at this time, who happened to be the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel heard that her son the King was dead, she decided to kill all the members of the royal family. For God’s sake, these are her family members. Some of whom were her grandchildren. Jehosheba on the other hand, kidnapped Joash the baby prince from the palace nursery and took him to the temple where he was hid. Through her heroic act, the royal lineage of David was preserved from extinction.

Lessons to learn from Jehosheba are numerous and we’ll look at some as we pray.

PRAYERS

From the story in scriptures, Jehosheba was the daughter of King Jehoram and not the daughter of Athaliah. So this meant the late King Ahaziah was her half brother. However, in the face of great evil, she looked beyond what type of relationship existed and saved Joash the son of Ahaziah. She could have as well left him there but beyond being his Aunt, she was a believer. By the fact that she was married to the High Priest, we can deduce that she knew the Lord, served Him and obeyed Him even though she was from a home where evil was done. I have imagined all the preparations she must have put in place to make this kidnap mission a reality without getting caught.

1. Father, in this world where evil prevails, I choose today to serve and obey you. Even if I am the only one in my family, in my place of work or in my community, I commit to you dear Lord that I will stand steadfast by your help and grace in Jesus name.

2. Lord, when the opportunity comes to be a light in a very dark and unassuming world; and I have to make decisions or plans towards a risky endeavour, I ask for your grace to act with complete faith and trust in you.

Like I said, I know preparations must have been made on how to kidnap baby Joash from the palace nursery. So this means, people were involved and these people were trusted to not compromise. If you and I happen to find ourselves in this situation, can we be a trusted team member? Or even more, do we have such kind of trusted people in our circle?

3. Lord, I surround myself with people who I can entrust sensitive and delicate tasks to. I also request Lord that when sensitive and delicate tasks are entrusted to me, I will be able to carry them out and deliver flawlessly in Jesus Name.

Athaliah was an offspring of evil parents and evil herself. She didn’t care about anyone but herself and she didn’t care if she killed her own blood. Whatever drove her to massacre the royal family was born out of sheer wickedness and evil.

4. Lord, take an x-ray of my heart and show me any trace of evil or wickedness hiding somewhere waiting for an opportunity to come to light. Wherever I have unknowingly harboured and nursed evil thoughts, I ask that you perform a thorough scrubbing of my heart. I refuse to be a tool of evil and wickedness in Jesus Name.

I want to believe, Jehosheba wasn’t the only woman with a heart there. However the presence of God in a man’s heart can’t make one keep calm and allow evil prevail. Jehosheba preserved the lineage from which Jesus came from because she couldn’t watch evil take center stage. If you are comfortable when evil thrives, then something is amiss.

5. Lord, put a discomfort in me when evil prevails that I will not sit quietly and watch when there is an opportunity for me to do something. Put within me a zero tolerance for evil and wickedness and create opportunities for me to shine the light of Christ by the actions I take.

DAY 4 – THE PROPHETESS AND JUDGE, DEBORAH (Judges 4 & 5)

As some of you know, my sister is Deborah and so the story of Deborah shouldn’t be new to me right? Ah Ahn! No.

I have heard about Deborah being a judge in Israel. However, I had never taken my time to intentionally read up and study about her. Few months ago as I studied the book of Judges, I fell in love with this woman and in turn, I blessed God for the life of another Deborah I knew – My Glorified sister.

So we all know the background story of how God kept raising up leaders in Israel whenever they cried out to God for help after they realized their evil ways. So at this time Ehud and Shamgar had saved them but after Ehud died, they went back to their old ways.

Now the leader at this time was both a Prophetess and Judge (What an unusual combination) and she sent for and gave the message of God to Barak – the man on the next mission to save and deliver Israel from their oppressors; but as recorded in scriptures, Barak (permit me to say this) didn’t believe in himself or was afraid because his response was kind of weird in a way. He literally said that if Deborah goes with him, he will go; but if she doesn’t he won’t. Well, we all know the outcome. Read up on the story later as our focus here is on this biblical character – Deborah.

As I write this, I still have the expression I had when I first read it. Hey!!! Oh God, make me a woman whose presence and opinion is so important. (Don’t worry, we’ll pray on that in a moment.)

As in, Barak was not going to go without Deborah. Hey! Hey!! Her words weren’t just enough, her presence was important. This led me to a place of inward reflection. I literally had a time of Q & A with myself.

Can people bring their matter to you because you will handle it fairly and impartially?

Can people trust your leadership to a point of believing that your presence has a great role to play in their lives?

PRAYERS

Not everyone has to be a Judge as well as a Prophetess but being a person whose words matter and can be trusted is great.

1. Lord, reveal to me what I need to change, work on or develop in my life that will make me a unique voice of reason in my marriage, my home, my family, among my friends, where I work and in my community.

Deborah was so in sync with God that she knew the right time Barak and the Men who marched were to attack. We see this in verse 14 – “Then Deborah said to Barak, “Now is the time for action! The Lord leads on! He has already delivered Sisera into your hand!” So Barak led his ten thousand men down the slopes of Mount Tabor into battle.” (TLB Version)

2. Lord make me a woman who can speak your mind per time. I declare today that I will be in constant sync with Heaven. When my family needs a word from God, They will come to me and not be disappointed.

This particular prayer point, I don’t know how to write it down the exact way it is in my spirit. But I will try and I pray the Holy Spirit expounds it to you.

3. Lord, I declare today upon this Altar that every decision by my husband, children, family, friends and colleagues will pass through me because my opinion is extremely important. I [your name] will be the influence that brings about a victory. I [your name] will be searched for because my word and presence play an important role in the outcome.


I will be known to be fair and impartial. I refuse to be that believer whose words hold no water and can’t be trusted.

Did you notice that the status of Deborah was mentioned.? She was the WIFE of Lappidoth. She was in the same circle as you and I – She was a wife. Sometimes, do you ask yourself why some details are mentioned in scriptures? Well, this shows us that in as much as she was both a Judge (career) and Prophetess (ministerial calling), she still thrived in her role as a wife as in other roles.

4. Lord, as I juggle and succeed in my career, business, ministry and all; may I not fail in my role as a wife – a helpmeet to my husband. [your name], I declare today that you are only permitted under the authority of God to succeed in all roles.

I won’t end this devotional without mentioning the man Lappidoth. I believe that the man supported his wife. How would she have been successful without the support of her husband? He was indeed a blessed man. The world is filled with men who wants a godly beauty and brain for a wife; but few who wants to support.

5. I declare today that you, [husband’s name] will always be a strong support system to me as I navigate between being your wife, mother, an architect, and business women [mention your other roles aside wife].

For Singles, you’ll want to ask God to give you the man that he has commissioned to support you through life as you play your many roles.

Lastly, Lord, I refuse to be an ingrate. As you use me in my many roles, I will always return with a heart of gratitude. I will be a source of peace in my home, family, work and community.

DAY 3 – SOMETHING ABOUT MARY (Luke 1:26-38)

Mary is a character in the Bible that we all knew about before we knew so much about the scriptures. This is because you must have payed a role in the Nativity or you heard about her during Easter or Christmas.

However, there is so much to Mary than just being the mother of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. What especially stands out to me about Mary is her selflessness from the moment the angel brought the news of how she has been chosen to be the one to birth Jesus. Well, we all know the story of Mary, so I won’t dwell on it else this becomes a very long devotional.

Now, I am going to do something interesting. I am going to picture Mary in this generation as any other woman out there. First, she got pregnant for someone who isn’t her husband. Now, this is not new these days as we have so many surrogate moms around us who help other moms who can’t go through the journey of pregnancy carry and birth their blessings. (Every child is a gift from God) Now, usually the baby is immediately handed over after birth and trust me if Mary had said, “God, I’ve given birth to Jesus, come take him.” God would have taken care of Jesus. But we all know Mary didn’t hand over Jesus, she took care of Him even though she knew at the back of her mind that he wasn’t “technically” hers. Hmm!!! Do you see it? Take great care of something that is “technically” not yours. Wow.

When Herod wanted to kill the child, she was up and out to protect Jesus. How about that time he didn’t follow them back home? She went back looking for him.

Beyond birthing my Saviour, one lesson from Mary is that “I should take care of what’s handed to me, giving my 100% even if I know it’s not going to be mine forever.” So be it work, opportunities, official benefits, I will give my 100%.

Oh!!! There’s just so much to unpack from Mary.

PRAYERS

1. Father, for all the things you’ve given me that I have treated with levity and carelessly because I know it’s not mine, have mercy Lord. I confess (mention them if you can remember) and I ask that you deliver me from the consequences of my actions in Jesus Name.

2. Father, I refuse to be myopic and look out for only what I can see now. I receive from you the strength to handle the things you give me temporarily as though they are mine permanently. Like the man who was given ten talents to keep and he invested it, help me go the extra mile. Bring to my mind your word that says, “he that is faithful in the little , more will be given to him.”

Mary wasn’t promised anything for the task she was about to do. In fact, what she was about to do was something that could cost her Mr. Joseph and bring shame to her and Joseph. But she availed herself for this task.

3. Lord, even when I can’t see the reward anywhere in sight, help me to trust you enough to handle what you’ve given to me with careful attention and love.

Like some would say, “Joseph, nah man him be.” Meaning, he is the best. Now they weren’t married yet when the angel visited Mary and she got pregnant. Trust me, in these modern times, some men if they were in Joseph’s shoe would have disappeared. They would have ended the relationship and run. But Mr. Joseph, the carpenter stayed by Mary’s side through it all.

4. Father, plant in [husband’s name] the spirit of support and selflessness that was in Joseph. I decree today that you [husband’s name] will see beyond your nose regarding the assignment God has given to me even if it will bring you some level of discomfort and if possible make people’s tongue to wag.

Singles, you will want to pray that God gives you a Joseph kind of man that will not be embarrassed by the uncommon assignment, God will give to you. Instead, he would proudly and boldly walk with you, hand in hand till you carry it out fully.

5. Lord, sometimes, its not my business, but put a willingness within me to make your business my business; and in turn take care and attend to your business like it is mine. Whether it is directly yours or that of someone you bring along my way.

DAY 2 – THE WOMAN RAHAB (Joshua 2)

Rahab is an unlikely bible character any woman would naturally look to to learn from. Many believers see her from a place of promiscuity but I see her from a place of bravery. Who would take a risk like she did without batting an eyelid? The present day believer would have ran a detailed risk assessment of the situation if they were in Rahab’s shoes.

Rahab here was a business woman and I am sure she had great negotiation skills, a skill we see come to play while she spoke to the spies on the roof. On that roof, Rahab negotiated the terms of her life and that of her family.

Now even though an agreement was arrived at, there was also an instruction on what she had to do. Before I go on, this came to mind.
“The same with Rahab, the Jericho harlot. Wasn’t her action in hiding God’s spies and helping them escape—that seamless unity of believing and doing—what counted with God? The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse.” (James 2:25-26 MSG)
If any of Rahab’s Family members were outside, they would not have been saved. Even if Rahab herself was not inside that room when the destruction came, her agreement with the spies would have been null and void. Oh how many times we have flaunted God’s instructions and still expect to see results. To see the result of God’s promise, ensure you are keeping your own part of the deal.

How many times have you and I over analyzed a situation and missed the blessing that come with it? As women, we must ask God to give us good negotiation skills and implant in us the willingness to learn. Also, we must be quick to see the opportunity in every situation.

Another thing that comes to my mind is, Rahab could have called the King to come capture the spies but she already knew that even if she had not hidden them, God had already given the city to the Israelites. That there was an opportunity that she could have missed, if she acted otherwise. Smart woman! Very smart woman!!

PRAYERS

1. Lord, when he/she/they that will bring about my deliverance knock on my door, may I listen and welcome them warmly. Give me a discerning spirit today to be able to differentiate an angel from a stranger.

Rahab’s act of kindness brought deliverance for her entire family

2. Father Lord, for my sake, protect and preserve [Husband’s name], [Children’s name] and all of my family members and those connected to me from the destruction that is due to happen. Lord as I obey your instruction and play my part, may the ripple effects of my obedience be enjoyed by my husband, my children and my entire family & my friends in Jesus name.

3. Lord, help me put my faith in you even in situations that are vey risky. Help me to not allow fear paralyze me and deprive me of the blessings that accompany my actions in Jesus Name. Help me to be able to act quickly and swiftly when I am called upon.

4. Lord, where I’ve missed it or made mistakes in my past, by the power in your blood which declares me free indeed, I refuse to allow my past deter me from the future you have prepared for me. I refuse to listen to the condemnation of the devil upon me, reminding me of my past but I choose to believe and trust the future you have promised me in Jesus name.

5. Lord, I pray that when the opportunity comes for me to make my requests, I will make the right request. I will make the request whose answers open doors to other answers in Jesus name.

DAY 1: GLEANINGS FROM HANNAH (1 Samuel 1:1-20)

How would you feel when you need something so dearly and then someone who has what you want/need mocks you for not having it?

I cannot even begin to imagine Hannah’s ordeal when Peninnah mocked her again and again, year after year. What I love about Hannah is that she took those feelings to God rather than a party of people who will pity her and maybe help her deal with Peninnah or find a way to have children.

As I ask myself, I ask you, what is that thing that you want/need and you have been talking about it more than you pray about it? I believe that like me, you’ll want to learn from Hannah and shamelessly lay it all out bare before the Lord.

As I go on reading about this woman Hannah, one thing that stands out to me is her giving back to God the gift He gave her. (What?! What?! Hey!!!) Remember she was mocked because she didn’t have this gift. Now she gets it and gives it back (Oh Lord, may I not make the gifts you give me bigger than you the giver.) Now something interesting here is that she could have given back the child to God as a baby (and trust me, God will take care of him), but No. She fed him, cared for him and taught him great morals. (this we see in his response to Eli when he heard his name)

Now let’s pause and ask ourselves this deep question. How am I going to handle the gift I am asking for from God when He gives it to me?

Are we going to be like the man who was given one talent and he went to bury it? (Matthew 25:14-18)

Hannah’s reward for giving back to God (a well packaged gift than how she received it) was evident in the fact that she had five (5) other children. (Matthew 5:26-30)

PRAYERS:

1. Dear God, as I begin this challenge, Help me to speak to you about all my issues. Even when my mockers mock me so loudly, let my prayers ring out to you so loudly. Today I confess that I will speak to you about my worries and challenges than I speak to others about it.

When Hannah was at Shiloh, she must have been in so much pain that she could barely find the words to say out loudly and uncontrollably, the words in her heart forced her lips to move such that it got Eli’s attention and then he assumed she was drunk.

2. Father Lord, when I am at that point where I cannot find the words to express physically, listen to the words in my heart. Holy Spirit of God, I give you my express permission to speak up the words of my heart before God continually.

3. Dear Lord God, when the answers come and my mockers are silent, I pray that I don’t forget you the source of my blessings. Help me to nurture, develop and use the gift you’ve given me to the glory of your name.

Sometimes, we can’t avoid the Peninnahs of this world. However, to truly stay sane, we all need an Elkanah (Mr. Encourager).

4. Lord, when I am surrounded by the Peninnahs of this world, plant an Elkanah on my path who will encourage me and remind me of my blessings.

Married? You’ll want to add this – Lord, make [Husband name] an Elkanah, who notices my emotions, my down times and rises up to be an encourager and a support, reminding me of my blessings and your promises.

Single? Lord, give me an Elkanah who will always stand by me and be quick to encourage me and remind me of God’s blessings and promises.

5. Dear God, I know how much this gift and blessing means to me; but I ask that when you require me to give it back to you through service to you or man. Help me not to hold back in Jesus name.