56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
You actually dealt with several engaging things in this article. I came across it by using Bing and I’ve got to admit that I am now subscribed to your website, it is very decent (:
I have found so much hope in Hannah’s story. When we cry out to God and make our petition before him, believing with our whole hearts that He is faithful, capable, and loving – what kind of Father could ignore that? Of course He honors her heart’s desire, blesses her abundantly, and uses her request to advance the kingdom in an unprecedented way (a non-Levite priest on the rise). I’m so full of hope after reading this! And my eyes brim with tears thinking of His love for us, and the joy & relief Hannah must have felt to finally be HEARD by God. So much goodness here! Ladies, let’s put our HOPE in the One who reconciles all things, who makes something out of nothing every time. He is faithful, and He loves us!!
I LOVE this story of Hannah too! But I want to encourage all of us who do not get what We are begging God to give us. Please know He does hear! I have begged for over 20 -almost 30 years for my children to have a relationship with Christ. Since before their birth. It’s been a rough and dark ride for all 3. Still none believe or follow. We have all truly suffered as we wait. But God is doing a mighty and amazing work – in His time! Just like the woman who waited 12 years to be healed of bleeding. Or maybe like the 3 men thrown into the fiery furnace. “God can save us – but even if He chooses not to- we (I) will worship no one else!” God gives me one promise- Himself. I will praise and serve Him as I wait!! Death-where is your sting?!
Hannah’s story motivated me to make an offering and believe in the LORD’s faithfulness. He has been so faithful and I’m so thankful. He will give you your hearts desire if you delight yourself in him. I was waiting to be married and wondering if I would ever be found by my Adam but I will be!! Soon!!
I adore the story of Hannah. Having gone through infertility myself, it is such a beautiful story and was such an encouragement during those hard years.
Imagine how hard it would have been to give Samuel up and keep her promise! Man. But God richly blessed her for her faith and obedience.
I love this story so much, there is such depth in it!
Elkehnah’s heart for Hannah paints a picture of Gods heart for us, he favoured Hannah, gave her the best portions above his children and other wife. (By cultural standards being barren is to be without hope or inheritance for your family – a loser of sorts). She was being taunted by the other wife who was “blessed” yet so insecure that she couldn’t remain satisfied with what she had been given.
Her society and own household would be looking down on her with shame because of it, and yet her husband saw something in Hannah beyond what she could give him naturally and beyond what she could see about herself and her current situation and still loved her, favoured and desired her heart for him to the point of asking “is my love not greater than 10 sons?” (1 son is a blessing… 10 was extravagantly blessed).
Kind of like Naomi she was seeing what she did not have, or lost and weeping instead of recognising and enjoying the favour set before her.
God’s heart to the Israelites and to us is still the same: Love me, trust me follow me, see what I set before you… am I not enough for you? Can you not just be satisfied in my love for you and what I can give you? I love and value who you are right here and now; you don’t have to be like someone else or have what they have been given. You are worth loving now. I desire your heart.
If I gave you what you think you want or deserve right now would you truly be satisfied and still love me?
Yet in the same token this pain and longing Hannah carried created a lasting and strong desire to honour and cherish, continually pray over what God eventually entrusted into her hands.
Question: are there blessings that we can’t see because we are listening to the taunts if others, comparing or weeping over things that are not meant for us right now?
Take heart our father is for us, never against us, he gets it, but will lift us up in due time. We walk by faith and not by sight
Thank you for your words of encouragement. This made me cry. I have always found myself longing for more than what I have. But the real question is “Is Christ not enough? What else do you want?” I am praying for a revival in my heart that no matter how tough this world is, the temptations, expectations and aspirations, in my heart, the truth of Christ BEING ENOUGH will be firmly rooted and established, forever and ever.
Thank you ladies for sharing your personal trials and heartaches. My husband and I are planning for pregnancy and at this point it is full of hope, but that may not be God’s plan (even though it’s ours) and I need to prepare my heart for whatever he has planned. This reading and your messages are so encouraging.
This verse stood out to me today because it points to Jesus! He’s our advocate when we sin against God. Oh how he loves us!
25 If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?”
1 Sam 1:8 “And … her husband said to her … ‘why do you weep? Am I not better to you than ten sons?'” Every month. This same sorrow. Sometimes guys just dint get it at all. :'(
1 Samuel 2:2 “There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
What a beautiful passage. In my study bible, ROCK is explained further as God providing stability and security for those who trust in Him.
I am confused by 1 Samuel 2:25. I have heard preaching that Eli was not a good father. He didn’t have any way of changing his sons. They would not listen to their father because God desired (another frequently used translation of “will” here) to slay them. This is not the picture of an all merciful God.
My study Bible says “Does a loving God really will or want to put people to death? Consider the situation in the tabernacle. A person made in offering in order to have his sins forgiven, and Eli’s sons stole the offering and made a sham of the person’s repentant attitude. God in His love for Israel could not permit the situation to continue. He allowed Eli’s sons to die as a result of their own boastful presumption.”
God is merciful, but he is also just, and our sins have consequences. Eli’s sons were priests who were stealing from the sacrifices that others offered to atone for their sins. They had no respect for God, and apparently no repentance for their own sins.
I’m confused by it too. God plans to destroy Eli’s household because he didn’t keep his sons from sinning. But it was God’s will to destroy them, so how was it Eli’s fault?
When he had the chances to discipline his sons while under his roof, he didn’t take them, and he could have taken drastic measures to preserve the holiness of the sacrifice, i.e. kill his sons, which would be lawful, but he didn’t, showing he cared more for them than the holiness of God.
Does anyone else hurt for Eli? As a parent, I pray daily that my children will have a heart for the Lord….part of the elect. Watching his children self destruct must have been painful.
Yes. I love Hannah, but it is Eli that I identify with in this story. I have a child conceived easily, who was raised with love and discipline. but after high school, he “wandered off to find where demons dwell.” What can I do? What could Eli do? wait on the Lord and trust in him. that is all.
I thought that, but it also says that the Lord was angry at Eli because he did nothing to ‘restrain’ them in their lawlessness. It sounds like he was in despair at their sins but Eli didn’t actually punish/discipline them for it – which seems to be what God wanted him to do. But even still, it also says that his sons wouldn’t listen to him because God wanted it that way – that’s the kind of verse I really struggle with
The verse that really stood out to me today was 1 Sam. 3:10 “The Lord came and stood there, calling as at other times, ‘Samuel!, Samuel!'” I was just really blown away by the fact that God was physically standing in the room with Samuel. God is always with us in the form of the Holy Spirit, but it’s different than Him physically standing there like a person and I thought it was cool.
Thank you Pam, I totally missed that! That God was physically present is so amazing! Sometimes when I am going through a hard time & praising God, I can actually feel His presence!
Hannah’s faith and persistence was rewarded b y the Lord! Hallelujah! As someone who also struggles with difficult pregnancy (I had a miscarriage with my very first pregnancy in 2012, and been praying to get pregnant again for 5yrs now) , this story inspired me to keep believing for it is God who decides when to bless us with children.. in His time, His way… in a way that would glorify Him the most! :)
meanwhile, Lord, continue using me mightily right in the season of life where you have placed me…. let me completely be content and satisfied by You alone… in Jesus name, amen! :)
Such beautiful words :) may we all trust in His timing. May we all learn to give Him praise through every season, no matter the season.
Have you read “Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet” by Sara Hagerty? Such a great read about walking through waiting. Here is her Instagram. I pray it blesses you!
thank you so much for the encouragement and for sharing.. is that a book? i haven’t read it yet.. I may have to find a copy of it, not sure if its available here in the Philippines though… will be praying to get one! have a blessed day! :)
Yes praying for you misce. I too await my own family but know that Gods timing and ways are perfect. Trust in Him, He won’t disappoint. Praise be to God and for the encouragement of Hannah’s story
❤️
❤️
❤️
Always be immovable know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
❤️
56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
✅
and indeed, this is very good news
2“There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
❤️
I love Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthians, especially in verse 58. “You know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
with God protecting us we can say “o death where is your sting?” -ellie
Lord please help us that in the knowledge of your victory we would be steadfast and immovable, abounding in the work of the Lord.
You actually dealt with several engaging things in this article. I came across it by using Bing and I’ve got to admit that I am now subscribed to your website, it is very decent (:
http://www.edsheeran.co.uk
I have found so much hope in Hannah’s story. When we cry out to God and make our petition before him, believing with our whole hearts that He is faithful, capable, and loving – what kind of Father could ignore that? Of course He honors her heart’s desire, blesses her abundantly, and uses her request to advance the kingdom in an unprecedented way (a non-Levite priest on the rise). I’m so full of hope after reading this! And my eyes brim with tears thinking of His love for us, and the joy & relief Hannah must have felt to finally be HEARD by God. So much goodness here! Ladies, let’s put our HOPE in the One who reconciles all things, who makes something out of nothing every time. He is faithful, and He loves us!!
I LOVE this story of Hannah too! But I want to encourage all of us who do not get what We are begging God to give us. Please know He does hear! I have begged for over 20 -almost 30 years for my children to have a relationship with Christ. Since before their birth. It’s been a rough and dark ride for all 3. Still none believe or follow. We have all truly suffered as we wait. But God is doing a mighty and amazing work – in His time! Just like the woman who waited 12 years to be healed of bleeding. Or maybe like the 3 men thrown into the fiery furnace. “God can save us – but even if He chooses not to- we (I) will worship no one else!” God gives me one promise- Himself. I will praise and serve Him as I wait!! Death-where is your sting?!
Annie–just prayed for your kids to come to know Jesus and have a relationship with Him. Hugs.
I prayed for your kids too Annie. He loves them more than you do and desires their heart.
I pray I’ll have the same response to the Lords call as Samuel ‘speak Lord, your servant is listening’
Hanna was pouring out her soul to the Lord! May I always put my heart out to HIM instead of things of this world!
Amen, Yamiris!
The body is natural and the resurrection is supernatural. That is some awesome teaching.
Hannah’s story motivated me to make an offering and believe in the LORD’s faithfulness. He has been so faithful and I’m so thankful. He will give you your hearts desire if you delight yourself in him. I was waiting to be married and wondering if I would ever be found by my Adam but I will be!! Soon!!
I adore the story of Hannah. Having gone through infertility myself, it is such a beautiful story and was such an encouragement during those hard years.
Imagine how hard it would have been to give Samuel up and keep her promise! Man. But God richly blessed her for her faith and obedience.
I love this story so much, there is such depth in it!
Elkehnah’s heart for Hannah paints a picture of Gods heart for us, he favoured Hannah, gave her the best portions above his children and other wife. (By cultural standards being barren is to be without hope or inheritance for your family – a loser of sorts). She was being taunted by the other wife who was “blessed” yet so insecure that she couldn’t remain satisfied with what she had been given.
Her society and own household would be looking down on her with shame because of it, and yet her husband saw something in Hannah beyond what she could give him naturally and beyond what she could see about herself and her current situation and still loved her, favoured and desired her heart for him to the point of asking “is my love not greater than 10 sons?” (1 son is a blessing… 10 was extravagantly blessed).
Kind of like Naomi she was seeing what she did not have, or lost and weeping instead of recognising and enjoying the favour set before her.
God’s heart to the Israelites and to us is still the same: Love me, trust me follow me, see what I set before you… am I not enough for you? Can you not just be satisfied in my love for you and what I can give you? I love and value who you are right here and now; you don’t have to be like someone else or have what they have been given. You are worth loving now. I desire your heart.
If I gave you what you think you want or deserve right now would you truly be satisfied and still love me?
Yet in the same token this pain and longing Hannah carried created a lasting and strong desire to honour and cherish, continually pray over what God eventually entrusted into her hands.
Question: are there blessings that we can’t see because we are listening to the taunts if others, comparing or weeping over things that are not meant for us right now?
Take heart our father is for us, never against us, he gets it, but will lift us up in due time. We walk by faith and not by sight
That was absolutely beautiful and a much needed reminder. Thank you, Tarnz!
Thank you for your words of encouragement. This made me cry. I have always found myself longing for more than what I have. But the real question is “Is Christ not enough? What else do you want?” I am praying for a revival in my heart that no matter how tough this world is, the temptations, expectations and aspirations, in my heart, the truth of Christ BEING ENOUGH will be firmly rooted and established, forever and ever.
God Bless Yall future mommas! I pray that I have kids! Makes me excited just thinking about it.
Thank you ladies for sharing your personal trials and heartaches. My husband and I are planning for pregnancy and at this point it is full of hope, but that may not be God’s plan (even though it’s ours) and I need to prepare my heart for whatever he has planned. This reading and your messages are so encouraging.
This verse stood out to me today because it points to Jesus! He’s our advocate when we sin against God. Oh how he loves us!
25 If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?”
Love this! I agree wholeheartedly
1 Sam 1:8 “And … her husband said to her … ‘why do you weep? Am I not better to you than ten sons?'” Every month. This same sorrow. Sometimes guys just dint get it at all. :'(
1 Samuel 2:2 “There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
What a beautiful passage. In my study bible, ROCK is explained further as God providing stability and security for those who trust in Him.
I am confused by 1 Samuel 2:25. I have heard preaching that Eli was not a good father. He didn’t have any way of changing his sons. They would not listen to their father because God desired (another frequently used translation of “will” here) to slay them. This is not the picture of an all merciful God.
My study Bible says “Does a loving God really will or want to put people to death? Consider the situation in the tabernacle. A person made in offering in order to have his sins forgiven, and Eli’s sons stole the offering and made a sham of the person’s repentant attitude. God in His love for Israel could not permit the situation to continue. He allowed Eli’s sons to die as a result of their own boastful presumption.”
God is merciful, but he is also just, and our sins have consequences. Eli’s sons were priests who were stealing from the sacrifices that others offered to atone for their sins. They had no respect for God, and apparently no repentance for their own sins.
I’m confused by it too. God plans to destroy Eli’s household because he didn’t keep his sons from sinning. But it was God’s will to destroy them, so how was it Eli’s fault?
When he had the chances to discipline his sons while under his roof, he didn’t take them, and he could have taken drastic measures to preserve the holiness of the sacrifice, i.e. kill his sons, which would be lawful, but he didn’t, showing he cared more for them than the holiness of God.
Does anyone else hurt for Eli? As a parent, I pray daily that my children will have a heart for the Lord….part of the elect. Watching his children self destruct must have been painful.
Yes! My daughter is only 5.5 months but I can’t imagine watching her turn from the Lord and not being able to help her turn back!
Yes. I love Hannah, but it is Eli that I identify with in this story. I have a child conceived easily, who was raised with love and discipline. but after high school, he “wandered off to find where demons dwell.” What can I do? What could Eli do? wait on the Lord and trust in him. that is all.
I thought that, but it also says that the Lord was angry at Eli because he did nothing to ‘restrain’ them in their lawlessness. It sounds like he was in despair at their sins but Eli didn’t actually punish/discipline them for it – which seems to be what God wanted him to do. But even still, it also says that his sons wouldn’t listen to him because God wanted it that way – that’s the kind of verse I really struggle with
The verse that really stood out to me today was 1 Sam. 3:10 “The Lord came and stood there, calling as at other times, ‘Samuel!, Samuel!'” I was just really blown away by the fact that God was physically standing in the room with Samuel. God is always with us in the form of the Holy Spirit, but it’s different than Him physically standing there like a person and I thought it was cool.
Thank you Pam, I totally missed that! That God was physically present is so amazing! Sometimes when I am going through a hard time & praising God, I can actually feel His presence!
misce, I pray that the Lord will answer your prayer, and that He will give you grace to wait patiently for His timing and decision.
thank you so much for the prayer Suzanne! blessings to you! :)
Hannah’s faith and persistence was rewarded b y the Lord! Hallelujah! As someone who also struggles with difficult pregnancy (I had a miscarriage with my very first pregnancy in 2012, and been praying to get pregnant again for 5yrs now) , this story inspired me to keep believing for it is God who decides when to bless us with children.. in His time, His way… in a way that would glorify Him the most! :)
meanwhile, Lord, continue using me mightily right in the season of life where you have placed me…. let me completely be content and satisfied by You alone… in Jesus name, amen! :)
Such beautiful words :) may we all trust in His timing. May we all learn to give Him praise through every season, no matter the season.
Have you read “Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet” by Sara Hagerty? Such a great read about walking through waiting. Here is her Instagram. I pray it blesses you!
https://instagram.com/everybitterthingissweet/
thank you so much for the encouragement and for sharing.. is that a book? i haven’t read it yet.. I may have to find a copy of it, not sure if its available here in the Philippines though… will be praying to get one! have a blessed day! :)
Yes it is :) I downloaded a copy of it through amazon.
Yes praying for you misce. I too await my own family but know that Gods timing and ways are perfect. Trust in Him, He won’t disappoint. Praise be to God and for the encouragement of Hannah’s story
thank you Shirl! will be praying for you too… God’s gives us Himself in our season of waiting… :)
So good, I just had my first pregnancy that needed in a miscarriage two months ago. I so deeply relate to Hannah and this story.
*ended in a miscarriage