She had been barren for long. It was a pain in her heart. She was an object of ridicule. Penninah taunted her. Many days she would cry but the child wouldn't come. she was dedicated. She was religious. She wouldn't miss the annual sacrifice for a thing. she was prayerful but her answer did not come.
The D-day came when her maker remembered her. The day came when the Lord would answer her. He would wipe away her tears of many years BUT NOT WITHOUT A TEST.
Her miracle was just about five seconds away. I don't think she knew it. She knelt down to pray and just when she felt she was ascending the heavens, the pastor came in.
"Will you get up you drunk? Shameless woman. Its just 9.00am and you are this drunk."
Salt over injury! Hannah should have flared up to answer the man in the tune with which he spoke. She wouldn't have been wrong if she had kept silent and left the place, thinking silence is the best answer for a fool.
but what would have been her portion? "Sir, I am not drunk. I am just praying." And the rest of the story was her miracle.
Hannah wouldn't have been wrong to be annoyed, but she wouldn't have gotten her miracle too. What if it had been you?
Patience!! Be patient! It is your test.
The day you lost your respect for that man was the day you lost your miracle.
A woman came to Jesus who wanted a miracle so badly. Her daughter was sick and dying. As soon as Jesus saw her, He saw a great faith. On the spot He was ready to deliver to her a miracle. Such faith must not go unrewarded, BUT NOT WITHOUT A FINAL TEST.
How best could she be tested. What test would match a faith as great as this?
"You dog," Jesus said, "Who will give you a child's food?" Did she not have every right to flare up? Jesus had no right to call her a dog. If she had said, "It is not your fault, I am the one who came for a miracle." Would she have been wrong? "Yes I know I am a dog. Please let this dog eat of the crumbs falling from the child's table."
And the rest of the story was her miracle. What if she got offended and walked away? What would have been her lot? What about you? What would you have done?
Patience!! Be Patient! It is your test.
Every answer to your life's question are tied to tests.
The result you strongly desire is tied to a test.
That problem keeps coming because you keep failing its test.
That guy you wouldn't speak to again. That lady you never want to set your eyes on, any longer. That man you claim to have lost respect for.
That woman who offended you and you told not to call you again.
Patience!! Be Patient. That man, that woman is your test.
The day you lost them, was the day you lost your miracle.
Yes they offended you. Oh Yes, the offence was great, but if you need that miracle, you must let them go.
There is always a test to pass before your miracle. You cant avoid that test. Take a cue from Hannah (1Samuel 1:15 & 16). Take a cue from the syrophenician woman(Mark 7:27&28).
Patience!! Be Patient! Don't lose your miracle.