This morning, I listened to the account of the prophet Samuel’s origin. So much to be harvested! Where do we start? Detailed in 1 Samuel 1. It describes Hannah, a woman who was previously barren, praying fervently to God for a son. She vowed to dedicate the child to the Lord if He granted her request. God answered her prayer, and she conceived and gave birth to Samuel. Once Samuel was weaned, Hannah fulfilled her vow by taking him to the tabernacle at Shiloh, where she presented him to the priest Eli for service.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- Hannah’s Barrenness and Prayer: Hannah, one of Elkanah‘s two wives (the other being Peninnah, who had children), was deeply grieved by her inability to conceive. During a family feast at Shiloh, she poured out her heart to God in prayer, weeping bitterly and vowing to dedicate any son born to her to the Lord’s service.
- Eli’s Misunderstanding: Eli the priest, observing Hannah’s intense prayer, initially suspected she was drunk, but upon realizing her distress and sincerity, he blessed her, assuring her that God would grant her request.
- Conception and Birth: Hannah’s prayer was answered, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, explaining that she had “asked for him from the Lord”.
- Dedication to the Lord: Once Samuel was weaned, Hannah, true to her vow, took him to Shiloh and presented him to Eli, leaving him in the care of the Lord for his entire life.
Amazingly, I have learned that waiting periods are an opportunity for great spiritual growth. People ‘telling’ you – “we are not hiring at present…”, “We do not have any vacancies…”, “We will keep your application on file…” The pain! Disappointment, let down, refusal… uncountable! At the beginning/start. I felt it was something that I was not doing! I simply applied to more opportunities, praying. At first, I felt as if my prayers were not being heard! I will admit, I at times felt that my prayers were not being ‘hewrd’ by God.
Yet, I had to admit that God is unchanging!
Yes, a core theological concept across various faiths, particularly in Christianity, is that God is unchanging, or immutable. This means God’s essence, character, and attributes remain constant, providing a reliable foundation for believers. While God’s actions and interactions with the world may appear to change, these are seen as expressions of His unchanging nature in response to different circumstances.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- Immutable Essence:God’s fundamental nature, including His being, attributes, and character, is unchanging. This means God is always loving, just, merciful, and faithful.
- Unchanging Promises:God’s promises are also considered immutable. If God has made a promise, it will be fulfilled. This provides assurance and stability for those who trust in God.
- God’s Actions and Interactions:While God’s actions may seem to change depending on the situation, this is seen as a reflection of His unchanging character being expressed in different ways. For example, God’s judgment and mercy are both consistent expressions of His justice and love, applied in different contexts.
- Biblical Support:Scripture often highlights God’s immutability, with verses like Malachi 3:6 (“I the Lord do not change”) and Hebrews 13:8 (“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”).
- Practical Implications:God’s unchanging nature provides a source of comfort and security, especially in a world of constant change. It allows believers to trust in God’s faithfulness and to find hope in His unchanging love and promises.
God is making you wait, be prepared to receive great things.
Waiting is never easy, but it’s often in the waiting that God is doing His deepest work. He’s not withholding blessings—He’s preparing you to receive them in fullness. Just like a seed takes time to grow beneath the surface, your breakthrough is developing in the unseen. Trust His timing. Delays are not denials—they are divine appointments. What God has planned for you is far greater than what you could plan for yourself. Stay faithful. Stay hopeful. What’s coming is worth the wait.
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:25-26
So while you wait, worship. While you wait, grow. Because when God moves, it will exceed your expectations. God bless you abundantly.