1 Samuel 1:3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord.
“Perseverance forges our character to produce fruit”.
Perseverance is the discipline to remaining faithful to what is right and necessary while waiting for the breakthrough. However, discouragement will lock people in darkness, and withdrawal will break the discipline of perseverance.
The above verse is loaded with information and insight into the heart of Elkanah and his wife Hannah. Elkanah did not miss the annual worship service required by the Law. Their travel was about 35 km, a day’s journey, from Ramah to Shiloh. Hannah did not confine herself to her dark cabin of disappointment and refused to go with Elkanah. Hannah was sunk in disappointment as her thanksgiving offering was empty while she waited for the gift of a child. But, she turned up with the family year after year.
Hannah would have waited for a child for 20 years. After the first 10 years, a Jewish man would be forced to remarry. Since his second wife Peninnah had children, Bible Scholars believe her waiting years would have been at least two decades. She went to the place of worship with the family expecting a miracle every year. The sons of the High Priest Eli, Hophni and Phinehas were unruly rowdy priests; yet their misconduct did not stop Elkanah from fulfilling the Lord’s command. Perseverance that overcomes disappointments and discouragements forges character.
Hannah trusted in His promise that there will be no barrenness among them. No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land (Exodus 23:26).
Discipline nurtures perseverance:
- Disappointment: Don’t let the delay disappoint you from persevering the ambition and aspiration that God has put in your heart. Never let disappointment kill your dream.
- Discouragement: God honours perseverance because perseverance is the proof of faith in the All-Mighty God and His promises. Perseverance refocuses our attention on the promises and defeats discouragement.
- Discipline: Disappointment is an internal emotional pain caused by lack of patience but perseverance is a discipline that heals impatience.
Perseverance is a choice and a discipline that forges our character.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, help me to persevere in the little disciplines that will shape my character and make me purposeful. Amen.
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