“And she said, “Let your maidservant find favour in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” 1 Sam 1:18 (NKJ)
Even if you did not know the person to whom the above passage referred, you still will be hard-pressed to refute the fact that something significant happened to her that caused her to radically change her outlook and behaviour from that moment onwards.
Hannah was overly confident that God had finally answered her protracted prayer for a son, removing from her the dreaded curse and stigma of barrenness. Since the cause of her sadness had been addressed there was no longer the need to remain sad. It was now time for Hannah to rejoice as she tuned her mind to physically receiving the son God had promised her. So, why was Hannah grinning? It was because she knew and was convinced beyond a shadow of doubt that God had heard and granted her request. This is in line with God’s word in Heb 11:6 (NKJ), “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Prior to approaching God in the temple with the objective of having her pressing need met, Hannah could not bear to eat or join in the festivities going on around her. She would rather fast than feast due to unhappiness and because of the immense weight of her problem. However, once God removed her yoke of barrenness, she felt immediate relief and left the temple confident her problem was totally resolved. Consequently, she promptly quit fasting and began her own feasting and merriment in expectation of the great miracle that God was about to do in her life. She started rejoicing in hope – a certain expectation that God would undoubtedly fulfil His word of promise to her. The bible states that “He who sacrifices thank-offerings honours me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” Ps 50:23 (NIV)
Praising God for what we are expecting to receive as answer to our prayer represents the highest level of faith and the greatest expression of our hope, since praise is in reality faith perfected. The key to receiving from God and spiritual game changer is to understand and actively accept the fact that God has answered your prayer of faith, Jn 14:13-14, and to move on into the mode of expectancy. The bible says about Abraham that “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.” Rom 4:20 (NKJ). Praise will strengthen your faith and replenish your hope, and ultimately lead to God fulfilling His promise in your life.
Why not make up your mind that you would henceforth praise God in expectation of what His word assures you He is about to do in your life, rather than complaining that it is taking far too long for Him to come through for you. This highly profitable action enables time to pass more pleasantly and also matures your faith, strengthens your hope and positions you to receive from God.
Why not practise praising God by heeding the words of Psalms 98:4; 34:1; 69:30-33.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I praise you for the many blessings, which your word assures me you have already given to me and for more to come. I praise you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made and that you have me in the palm of you hand. Alleluia!