While We Wait for the Dream
Naturally, the story of Hannah in the Bible is one of my favorites. I, like Hannah, spent many years praying, dreaming, and waiting for a child.
Recently, I have been studying her story again. No, I am not in the process of trying to have another child. :-) I believe that her example of grace and faithfulness to the Lord while she waited for her dream of a having child, can be applied to many dreams.
As accustomed in those days, Hannah's husband had another wife, Peninnah, who had no trouble conceiving. To make things worse, the Bible says that Peninnah teased Hannah because she could not have children. Imagine watching someone day after day, year after year, live your dream while taunting you? I am sure my anger and bitterness would have spilled over to all those near me. Not Hannah. There is no mention of her grumbling and complaining. The firstthing she did was to take her cry to the Lord.
One morning while at the temple she prayed,
“Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life" (
I Samuel 1:11, NIV)
Upon hearing her, Eli, the priest approach her and said,
“Go in peace and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."
Early the next morning Hannah and her husband arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. That is the greatest example of all to me. They continued to worship the Lord, not knowing if the dream would be fulfilled. Eli did not tell her that she WOULD conceive, yet the first thing she did was praise and worship the Lord the very next morning.
Can't we grow weary? Don't we have a tendency to say, "I will rejoice when I see the evidence?" But it is through our times of worship, in every circumstance, that the Lord can break through and change our situation.
As the story continues, Hannah's dream did become a reality and she gave birth to a son. Hannah's faithfulness is again an inspiration when she paused to give God the glory and honor. She did not quickly forget the Lord in the glory of the dream. I Samuel 2 is full of beautiful words of Hannah’s praise to her heavenly Father.
My sisters, whether big or small, we are all in the process of a dream. As some of mine have been fulfilled, and some I am still hoping for, I pray to have a heart like Hannah. May I not become angry and bitter as I see others who have what I desire. May I be committed to rejoicing in the Lord and worship Him no matter my circumstances and outcome. May I never forget to pause and give Honor to my Savior, who is always faithful.
Personal reflection:
Personal reflection:
1. How have you compared where you are in the dream process to others? Has it led to an attitude of bitterness?
2. How could things change if you decided to worship and rejoice in the Lord, despite your circumstances?
3. Where are you in the CW process of fulfilling God's purpose for your life? (dreams, healing, Identity, Health, Purpose, Inside/Out/Fashion
CREATED WOMAN JULY LINE UP: DREAMS
God has given each of us a God-sized dream!
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Gather Her, Generational Panel, Dreams Never Die
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Podcasts
June 9th, Eleanora Luke, Dreams never die Pt. 1
June 25th, Marie Bellido, Dreams never die Pt. 2
Weekly Devotionals every Monday & Wednesday:
~ Weekly Devotionals every Monday & Wednesday
- Finding a table to raise your dreams
- Sugar, spice & everything nice
- Wake up mama
- Help! My dream has gone missing
- The pitfalls of dreaming
- While we wait for the dream
- What are your dreams made of?
- Are you living your dream or someone else's dream?
