“Early the next morning, they arose and worshipped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah, his wife, and the Lord remembered her. So, in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.” 1 Samuel 1:19-20.
Hannah, whose name means Grace, was a woman of deep faith. She was barren- the worst stigma a Hebrew wife could have in her days. She responded well to her distress; she did not complain; but she cried out to God “in bitterness of soul.” I Samuel 1: 10
Hannah remembered God; she understood the sovereignty of God. She knew that God is supreme; hence she worshipped God and prayed to Him, with an expectant heart. She had much in her life to cause her depression- infertility and inescapable family tensions drove her to the brink of despair. However, Hannah did not lose grip on God – she knew God was in the middle of all her problems. Her depression lifted when she took her focus from herself and her problems, and focussed on God only.
Then, suddenly, God remembered her and blessed her with a son, Samuel, whom she gave back to the Lord, in accordance with her vows. Furthermore, the Lord was gracious to her beyond measure. He blessed her again with three sons and two daughters. 1 Samuel 2:21.
Our God does not forget about us. He remembers His covenant with us and He wants us to remember Him in our relationships, jobs, marriages, homes and our daily activities. We should allow Him to take pre-eminence in all that we do. We must remember that it is only God Himself who gives us the power to get wealth and we must not forget all His benefits. If we look up to the God of Hannah, the One who dispelled her depression with new understanding of His love, knowledge and power, we will never go wrong.
We thank God that He will remember us, but He will not remember our sins, once they have been confessed with a contrite heart. The bible says in 1 John 1:8-9 “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” In Isaiah 43:25, His Word says, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake and remember your sins no more”.
You may ask, “Is God forgetful”? No, He is not forgetful; He chooses not to remember our sins because He is God. But when we choose not to forgive ourselves, we question His forgiveness. We allow the enemy to bring us into condemnation. When we rehearse our past failures, we not only keep them alive, we empower them.
Only by forgiving others and ourselves can we truly break the hold the past has on us and be able to get on with life. Anytime the devil brings up your past failures, you must point him to the cross, refuse to discuss them further with him and keep moving on. You are a winner and you have got the victory, in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
PRAYER OF SALVATION
If you have not already committed your life to Jesus and you would like to do so now, please pray this prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I am sorry for all the things I have done wrong. Thank you for dying for me on the cross, to set me free from my sins. I ask you to come into my life as my personal Lord and Saviour, and fill me with the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.”
Congratulations, if you have prayed this prayer, please look for a Bible-believing church, to fellowship with the brethren. Please do not hesitate to contact me, if I can be of any assistance to you. Remain blessed and enjoy the presence of the Lord.
Ronke Immanuel
THM (UK)
