The wait has been long. Your strength weakens with each passing moment. Despite what you feel, something within says, “Hold on. Don’t give up.” But do you have what it takes to keep hope alive? Can you keep the faith in the midst of the circumstances?
The Story: 1 Samuel 1:1-20
In 1 Samuel 1:1-20, Elkanah has two wives, Peninnah and Hannah. While Peninnah bore several children, Hannah had none. Peninnah ridiculed Hannah on a regular basis because she had no children. Despite Hannah’s condition, her husband loved her most. He tried to make up for her lack of children. However, nothing sufficed Hannah’s desperate longing for a child.
As a result, Hannah went to the temple to pray. She earnestly sought the Lord as her lips moved, but no words came out. At the sight of Hannah, Eli, the priest, thought she was drunk. He advised her to refrain from such behaviors. Hannah advised him of his error and explained that she was pouring out her soul to the Lord. Therefore, Eli told her to go in peace and asked God to grant her request. Hannah asked for grace and favor in the sight of the priest. Shortly after Hannah’s encounter at the temple, she conceived a son.
The Lesson
Yes, the wait is long. However, we can hold on. Everything promised is on the way. The old adage remains true; anything worth having is worth waiting for. To obtain the promise, a commitment is required. Like Hannah, we stand despite the adversity. We hold on even though we’re misunderstood. Although the odds are stacked against us, we continue to hold on. We remain steadfast because we have hope.
What does it take to hold on?
- Have hope. We need to know what we believe. Keep the faith that “it” will come.
- Seek and believe God. Ensure that our hope aligns with God. Yes, He will sometimes give us what we ask for even if it’s not His best for us (1 Samuel 8). Then we discover we don’t want it. Therefore to save time, let’s seek what He wants for us.
- Remain steadfast. Though the manifestation delay, hold on. Our labor isn’t in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). We stay the course because that’s where we find peace (Isaiah 26:3) and strength (Isaiah 40:31).
Hold on for indeed it’s coming.
