The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who are stumbled are armed with strength. 1 Samuel 2:4. Hannah, a simple woman, had everything she needed. A loving husband, who cared for her and the most important thing, they had a relation with God. They went to worship and sacrifice to the Lord each year. She lacked nothing except for a child. Her rival, Peninnah used to provoke and irritate her for this reason. This was because ‘the Lord had closed her womb’.
At times God closes certain things, and that’s the time for rivals to laugh at us. They can provoke and irritate us for that certain time. But only we know who closed it and He knows when to open it . When He opens it, we will forget the rival who laughed at us.
Samuel did what the Lord said to Samuel. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” 1 Samuel 16:4
Penninah used to provoke and insult Hannah. When Samuel was attested as Prophet of God. People feared him. When he entered a town, the elders used to enquire ‘whether he came in peace’. I believe Penniah’s children too feared him. Hannah’s prayer turned the tables.
Elkanah her husband would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why Don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons? ” 1 Samuel 1:8. When Hannah grieved her husband came to comfort her, but when her son Samuel grieved God himself came to comfort him.
The Lord said to Samuel, ” How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as King over Israel?……. 1 Samuel 16:1. God won’t allow his servant to grieve, He will surely come to comfort.
Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk. 1 Samuel 1:13 . Hannah prayed in her heart and her mouth never pronounced any word. In her grief, She was without words. But when her son was born, God made sure that none of his words fall to the ground.
The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and He let none of his words fall to the ground. 1 Samuel 3:19
Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. 1 Samuel 2:1. Hannah used to make robes for Samuel. She used to express her love to him by making those robes which she used to give annually. When Saul caught hold of his robes (1 Samuel 15:27), I am sure God didn’t like it. Hence, God torn the Kingdom of Israel. The Robe of Samuel is not an ordinary robe, it is a robe made by a prayerful mother with Love.
If there is someone to pray for us from behind, then God won’t allow anything to touch us. The person praying behind may have to face troubles, provoking, difficulties, insults etc. But the fruit of the prayers will surely be reaped. Be like Hannah, and pray for people. Be like Samuel, and groom a David. The one who pray and groom will be found in the QUIVER OF GOD.
Blessed to be a Son of Prayerful mother.. May GOD bless you all..