You Need To Focus On This When Being Mistreated

1 Sam. 1:6-7 - "Her rival, however, would provoke her bitterly to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. It happened year after year, as often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she would provoke her; so she wept and would not eat."  NASU 

• Hannah's Provocation 

Hannah was being provoked because she wasn't able to have children. We are not exactly sure how Peninnah was provoking her. It was probably by mocking her inability to bear children which was over something Hannah had absolutely no control. 

• Focus On This 

If you or someone you know finds yourself in a situation where you are being mistreated focus on this: God has you placed there for a reason.
 
It was the Lord who had closed Hannah's womb. She is in this situation because this is where the Lord wants her. I am not saying God wanted Peninnah to provoke her most likely by mocking her, but the fact remains she is childless because of God.
 
You will notice in the Old Testament when God was at work delaying a pregnancy or being involved in some way the child born was always a special child.
                                             
Isaac birth comes when Sarah is 90 years old, John the Baptist birth was when his mother and father were both old and here we are seeing the early days before the birth of Samuel who will become a famous Judge over all Israel.
 
God had Hannah there for a reason. The mistreatment she endured led her to make a vow to God if He would give her a son she would dedicate him to the Lord. Samuel was going to be dedicated as a child and would become a part of the Nazarite vow.
 
Would she have made this vow about Samuel had she not been provoked?
 
Samuel was special as can be seen by the life he lived. 

• Your Situation 

You may find your surroundings are very difficult and you find yourself praying to God to remove you from this situation. I would like to suggest a different course of action.
 
I would like for you to pray, "Lord, I don't like my present situation, but what I really want is to do Your will. Show me how You are going to use me in this situation to bring Glory to Your Name." 

• Conclusion 

When you find yourself being ridiculed, mocked, provoked or verbally attacked in any way see this as a place God has brought you to because He is going to do a great work with you.
 
Think About These:
 
The Lord calls for us to stand, but not always understand.
 
When God allows a burden to be put upon you, He will put His arms underneath you to help you carry it.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago      
    
Minister of God’s Word