1 Samuel 1:5–6

Recurrent Thought

• When life brings pain that God permits or even initiates; faith teaches us how to respond, trust, and grow through it.

Navigating challenges, especially the ones we perceive as God-induced demands that we relate to God with a distinct level of trust, relying on his wisdom, and guidance. Dealing with the acts of God as barriers to our progress is a difficult reality of life. An act of God is an event where natural forces in operation are uncontrollable. Normally, this is a severe, unanticipated natural event for which no human is responsible. In many cases this phrase is used when referring to catastrophic natural occurrences such as floods, cyclones, hurricane, landslides, not caused or controlled by humans.

There are times when as Human beings we navigate through acts of God, things that we may perceive as being God-induced. How do you dream through challenges that we know that no human being caused them and therefore, no one can control. Hannah was in that situation. She faced a challenge believed to be created by God. The Scriptures says the Lord had closed her womb such that she could not bear Children despite her desire to do so. This text is clear 1Sa 1:5, 6)

• But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb. 
• 1Sa 1:6  And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. 

Hannah was faced with an act of God; She was barren not due to human cause and neither could she control it.

From time to time we face Acts of God, events that messes our human understanding and creates pain in our lives and we have no capacity to control them

Here are five truths that relate to facing the acts of God

1. Recognize the Mystery of Divine Sovereignty
   • 1 Samuel 1:5–6 (NIV)“But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.”
   • Few things are more painful than suffering that seems to come with God’s permission.
   • How do we process hardship when Scripture says, “The Lord closed her womb”?
   • Although it is hard to explain the Acts of God, part of the explanation is in understanding the Sovereignty of God,
   • Sovereignty is God's absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure. This is his power and right of dominion over his creatures, to dispose and determine them as it seems good to him. This attribute is evidently demonstrated in the systems of creation, providence, and grace; and may be considered as absolute, universal, and everlasting (Dan_4:35; Eph_1:11). 
     • Dan 4:35  all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?
     • Eph 1:11  In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 
   • The first step in navigating the acts of God is accepting that God is Sovereign
   • Knowing and accommodating His sovereignty is understanding that sometimes, God specifically brings suffering into our lives.
   • Accepting His Sovereignty is learning to trust him and be persuaded that He still welcomes my prayers.
   • God had stopped Hannah from having children, but He still looked kindly upon her and listened to her request
   • God still waits for our prayers despite that what we face are acts of God.
2. Recognize the Mystery of Closed Doors
   • When God Closes Doors (the Womb) it may demand that we Wait (v.5–6)
   • Hannah’s infertility wasn’t random; Scripture makes clear it was allowed by God.
   • The question then is, “Why does God close doors, or wombs. Of course it is always mysterious. He does not give explanation to his action; he is sovereign.
   • When God closes doors, it may imply suffering, pain and tragedies
   • This raises deep questions: Why would a loving God withhold? Why would a loving God allow suffering?  In theology this is called the Doctrine of Theodicy. It as an attempt to explain and justfy why an all knowing God, and good God would allow evil in the earth.
   • One major reason God closes doors, and wombs is to inform you a “Not yet position.” He is actually informing you “Wait for something greater.”
   • Sometimes what looks like delay or denial is God’s preparation and design.
   • God sometimes withholds not to punish but to mold, form and prepare us
   • Through the pain of a closed womb he prepared Samuel, a prophet who would anoint kings.
   • Through the closed doors He prepared a woman who knew how to intercede deeply.
   • Through the closed womb he brought the Hope for the Nation
   • Delay is not always denial. God’s closed doors are sometimes His clearest protection or positioning.
3. Recognize the Mystery of Human Rivalry
   • Her rival kept provoking her…”
   • The mystery of life is such that people become rivals to us without as applying for a boxing contest.
   • The devil, the rival to God’s working grace, ensures that we have human rivals and we don’t enjoy a good live
   • Don’t fight battles that are not yours and do not benefit you. Many times People Add Pain to Our Process (v.6)
   • Peninnah mocked her, reminded her of what she lacked.
   • Sometimes the greatest wounds come from people closest to us.
   • The double mystery is that God may allow certain irritants to press us into deeper prayer.
   • Illustration: Just as sand in an oyster produces a pearl, irritation in our lives can produce intercession that births destiny.
   • Instead of you becoming bitter may the pain push you to God, not away from Him.
4. Ensure Your Worship Rises Above Your Weeping (v.9–11)
   • Hannah rose up from her sorrow and went to pray.
   • Verse 10: “In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.”
   • True faith doesn’t pretend. It prays. Hannah did not spiritualize the situation, she poured out her pain.
   • Hannah teaches us how to be honest in God’s presence, while still honoring Him.
   • Despite the pain, she didn't stop worshiping but she pressed in deeper.
   • I challenge you not to waste your sorrow. Worship with it. Weep in God’s presence and watch Him work.
5. God Honors and works with Surrendered Desires (v.11, v.19–20)
   • Hannah surrendered what she wanted most even before she ever received it.
   • How much of your dreams, your desires have you surrendered to God?
   • “If You give me a son, I will give him back to You…” (v.11)
   • Many times God waits for our dreams to become altars. Only then did the Lord remember her (v.19)
   • Samuel’s name means “God heard.”
   • Despite the situation, Her pain birthed a prophet who would change history.
   • When you give your dreams back to God, He often gives them back with destiny attached.

Here are Concluding Truths

• Navigating the Acts of God means to
  • Accept God’s Sovereignty even when it pains.
  • Bring your bitterness to God not to people.
  • Don’t compare your portion to someone else’s.
  • Let surrender come before success.
  • Trust that God remembers, even when heaven feels silent.

Final Thought:

• You may be walking through something God allowed. But just like Hannah, your tears can water something eternal. God is not finished with your story. He may be setting you up to birth something that will bless generations.