Overcoming the Adversary

This morning during my quiet time with the LORD I read the first chapter of 1 Samuel.  A verse about Hannah the mother of Samuel caught my attention.  1 Samuel 1:6 reads, "And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb."  The NKJV drives home the effect Peninnah (a rival wife of Hannah's) had upon her:  "And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the LORD had closed her womb."  Hannah was barren because God had closed her womb.  Though she had a wonderful husband and did greatly desire children, it was the hateful spite from Peninnah that broke Hannah down.  It is amazing to consider the means God employs to foster within His children His heavenly graces as we are refined "as by fire."

God did not desire for Hannah to be miserable, to weep and refuse to eat food.  But He intentionally closed Hannah's womb and allowed Peninnah to continue her assault.  How true it is that our adversary, the devil, would provoke us to be miserable over what God does or does not do!  Hannah wished for a child, and cried out to God to fulfill her petition.  It was God's will she would have a son and five more children besides, but He desired to use this difficult situation to work within her as well as through her.  She would later give birth to the prophet Samuel, whom she would consecrate for life to serve the LORD.

There is much God will do in our lives, and He has given us desire to see His word immediately fulfilled.  Yet in His wisdom, He tarries.  And in some cases, it feels as though His promises might never see fruition!  While He tarries, our adversary labors to make us fret and wallow in misery, break our resolve, distract us from His goodness, fill us with doubt and anguish, and drown us in cares that ought to be cast upon Christ in prayer.  How great is our God, who works all things - even the vicious assaults of our adversaries - for good!  May we be as Hannah, who sought the LORD fervently despite the ferocity of her rival.  When her prayers were answered, she was faithful to obey and do her part unto the LORD as she promised.  She was rewarded with fruitfulness and God received the glory!