LOOK INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL
'...God began making THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS in response to what she has asked.' Bible The Message
1 Samuel 1:19
A Crystal Ball is a solid globe or rock crystal, used by fortune-tellers and clairvoyants for crystal-gazing. Look into the Crystal Ball, WHAT DO YOU SEE?
If God had open the eyes of our understanding to perceive twenty years from the day we made some decisions, we wouldn't have made the choice we made. Some decisions you made even seconds ago would have changed if God had open your eyes of understanding to perceive what is in the Crystal Ball as it were. Do you pray before taking decisions in life? May be, you have separated the spiritual from the secular, hence you do go ahead, to do things without first seeking God's Perfect Will concerning that which concerns you. Bible says, ' The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.' (Psalm 138:8). ASK Him before you say yes. As a woman you do not have the prerogative to give your own consent OUT OF your own volition to a man to marry you. You cannot and should not give him your permission to even start seeing you; it's only the watchful eyes of your Father in heaven, biological Father that can protect you from the prying eyes of the evil man.
That legal consent is THE sole prerogative of God through your earthly father. Let's appreciate the place of prayer in making every decision concerning every facet of life, as espoused by Elkanah and Hannah.
The opening sentence of 1 Samuel 1:9 of the Message rendition, states that, 'Up BEFORE DAWN, they WORSHIPPED GOD and returned home to Ramah...' Note the phrase, 'Up before dawn'; it means the household of Elkanah observes a routine of worshiping God everyday and always before dawn NO MATTER WHAT they have to do for the day or what transpired before they retired into bed. They had a journey to embark on, to Ramah, which required the early wake up. But Elkanah made sure he and his wife made ample time to LIFT UP THOSE HOLY HANDS UNTO GOD IN WORSHIP no matter the time they had to wake up. This is an apt example of obedience and sacrifice. Obedience of the commandment, 'Jesus answered, "It is written Worship the Lord your God and serve Him ONLY." Luke 4:8. Elkanah did not live contrary to the WORD OF GOD, despite the chaos that saw the end of the Judges and the ills of Eli's sons. You don't stop worshipping God or fellowshiping with the saints or your local assembly because you think the church in our time is beset with challenges. The response of God to Hannah's (Elkanah's wife) prayer is partly because of their faithfulness in worshipping God NO MATTER WHAT. DO NOT FORSAKE THE GATHERING OF YOURSELVES TOGETHER saith The Lord.
Another noticeable feat in the marriage of this couple, is sacrifice to obey. They gave up sleep not just to start the journey early BUT to PRAY. Christianity is a call to sacrifice. There is always a time to sacrifice. Sacrifice is not suffering; neither is it a sign that you are not a Christian. Sacrifice connotes the concept of opportunity cost in Economics. You give up one thing in order to get another: the cost of choosing sleep in place of waking up before dawn to pray is a recipe for disaster.
Now to the crust of my blog. Bible says, when they got to Ramah, Elkanah slept with Hannah HIS WIFE and GOD began making the necessary arrangements in response to what she asked.' Glory to God! Hannah believed Eli when he prophesied that 'God grant or rather will grant...' She immediately wiped her tears as bible said the prophecy dispelled her sadness. This is an immediate response to the WORD OF GOD she received from Eli. Bible says, 'Hitherto have ye ask nothing in my name. ASK, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE, that your joy may be full. Have you asked in the name of Jesus? If you have, then you have received and your joy MUST be FULL. Note I am emphatic of the truth that once you have asked in His name, you have received. It doesn't matter what you think or feel. Neither does it matter whether you have perceived it or received it physically. Scripture CANNOT be broken. God has began making the necessary arrangements in response to what you have asked. LIFT UP THOSE HOLY HANDS UNTO GOD IN WORSHIP no matter what.
God begins the arrangements in response to what we ask anytime and every time we ASK in the name of Jesus Christ. What have you asked? Start buying that Baby Court. Start buying that special dress for your first day at work. Start preparing to leave your father and mother and to CLEAVE unto your spouse. Start buying that school uniforms. Whatever it is, start making the necessary arrangements in response to what you have asked in His name. Your lack of faith cannot and does not STOP God's arrangements. It is a reflex action: ONCE you ASK in His name, God begins the necessary arrangements.
Bro Ritchie Edukwesi WOANYA
