Psalm 41, Hebrews 10:1-10

I read a quote that warned, “not everyone you fight is your enemy. And not everyone who helps you is your friend.” Throughout our lives we will experience hurt, betrayal, and disappointment at the hands of others. And in those moments we have a choice to make. Will that pain make us better or bitter? 

Better is using the hurt to grow closer to the Lord, and softening our hearts to the pain and needs of others. Bitter does just the opposite. It takes glee in retribution and seeing others misfortune. Bitter turns a blind eye to the suffering of another because its focus is only on self pity. King David had much cause to be callus, cruel, and uncaring. Yet because he had a heart that sought after God’s, he made the choice to be better. For he knew that to receive blessings and mercy, he had to give blessings and mercy.

We all fall short and sin daily against God. Yet from His wonderful love, He extends to us His unmerited grace and mercy. And when we have been sinned against, God calls us to show that same grace and mercy. To repay evil with kindness, curses with blessings, and mistreatment with prayer. (Luke 6:27-28) And most importantly of all, if we see a need to meet that need. Because if we do, in return we are promised some pretty amazing things!

David says that if we care for the needy we can cry out, “O, Lord, be gracious to me.” (Ps. 41:4) And our God will deliver the victory in our own day of trouble. Our enemies, try as they might, will find only discouragement because God will protect us from their wickedness. The  blessings we receive will be so bountiful, they will be known around the world. And during times of sickness, we will have by our side the Great Physician. Who with His loving arms, will hold and sustain us! 

We all know that actions speak louder than words. As Christians, hearing and knowing God’s Word is vital. But even more important is putting that Word into action. Because if as believers we aren’t actively out demonstrating the Lord’s goodness through loving acts, charity, and edifying speech, than we become ineffective witnesses for the Lord. And worse yet, we miss out on receiving God’s best for our lives. For as Jesus taught, “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:13-14) So in times of hurt what will you choose? To be better or to be bitter? 

Pause and Reflect - 

Has a trusted friend disappointed you, perhaps even betrayed you? Did that pain push you toward or away from God? Do you truly believe the Lord will never disappoint or betray you? How do you know? 

How do you treat others? Before we can claim God’s promises, we must examine our own hearts to see if we have sincerely met the conditions the Lord has given. Whether it be with time, acts of service, or money, are you actively looking to meet the needs of the suffering? 

Finally let’s pray, 

Our dearest Father in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Father we know that it is Your will to help those that are afflicted, to support the weak, provide for the widows and orphans, and help those that are in need. May our eyes be open to the suffering around us. And may our hearts be open to hearing and obeying Your call. Father use our hands to help the hurting. And use our voices to speak words of healing and encouragement to those that are afflicted and in distress. Oh Father You are our great Healer, Comforter, and Way Maker. May we demonstrate Your love and goodness to a hurting world. And instead of angry, bitter hearts of stone, Father replace them with hearts like Jesus. Ones that want to love and give as generously as You do. For Father our greatest desire is to lead lives that both glorify and are pleasing to You. So we praise and give thanks to the God of Israel who has always been and will always be. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.

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I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, and I pray your day overflows with love and blessings.

 Lisa

Hannah - Trading Bitterness For Blessings and Sorrows for Joy

As the morning sun woke Hannah from her slumber, the familiar feelings of disappointment and discouragement welled up deep inside of her. It was the day of the year she dreaded the most. When she would travel with her family to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. Oh it wasn’t that she didn’t love God. Instead, it was the harassment that Hannah would face from her husband’s second wife, Peninnah, that her heart couldn’t bare. For God had blessed Peninnah with many children. But for Hannah, the Lord has closed her womb.

Every year it was the same. They would travel to the house of the Lord sacrificing and feasting. And each year, Hannah was tormented ruthlessly at the temple by Peninnah because of Hannah’s barrenness. Peninnah took great joy in taunting Hannah in front of the others. She boasted about the great favor God had for her, as shown through her many sons and daughters. While gleefully holding over Hannah’s head, the lack of favor God had for her, evidenced by her empty womb. And when Hannah could take no more ridicule, she would weep bitterly, refusing to eat. All to the delight of Peninnah. 

Elkanah her husband, loved Hannah deeply. He saw her misery and the tears which endlessly streamed down her face. Trying his best to comfort Hannah he asked, “Why is your heart sad? Aren’t I better than 10 sons?” But there was no way he could understand the deep ache and pain Hannah felt. He didn’t know what it was to feel rejected, not good enough, and punished by God. And had no idea of the anguish and resentment she endured, watching others being blessed while she remained forgotten. No. Elkanah had never tasted the salty bitterness of the tears of brokenness.

This year at the temple was no different from the previous. Again Peninnah’s pattern of persecution began. But this time it was more than Hannah could bear. This time the toll of the years of sorrow and disappointment brought Hannah lower than she had ever been before. She fell to her knees from the weight of her anguish. And in complete brokenness and humility, surrendered to God all of her hurt, circumstances, and deepest unfulfilled desires. In prayer Hannah called on the Lord to remember her, striking a deal that if He blessed her with a son, she would give that beloved son back to God for His service. 

Watching from a distance was the priest Eli who, mistaking her passionate prayer for drunkenness, came over to reprimand Hannah. But far from finding a woman drunk on wine, Eli instead found a woman sober from the peace she felt from releasing her troubles to God. A woman with a new, refreshed, confidence in the Lord. And a woman free from the weight of the baggage that once tortured her soul. And so Eli sent her off in peace with a blessing that God would grant her petition. And with a slight smile, and renewed faith, Hannah went happily on her way to rejoin the feast.

In that moment Hannah’s circumstances hadn’t changed, but her heart had. Instead of wallowing in self pity and bitterness, Hannah instead put her faith and trust in God. And now she would wait in that faith patiently until receiving her answer. And that answer came some time later when Hannah indeed became pregnant with a son. Saying, “Because I have asked him of the Lord,” Hannah named him Samuel, meaning “heard by God.” 

She broke into a beautiful song of thanksgiving to the Lord, and because He was faithful to her, Hannah in turn was faithful to God.  When the time came six years later for Samuel to live and serve in God’s temple, Hannah and Elkanah brought Samuel to the Lord’s house. And every year after, Hannah proudly and lovingly made Samuel a beautiful new robe, which she brought to him on her annual visit. 

Then the Lord remembered Hannah again, blessing her with sons and daughters to help fill the void of the one she had dedicated to Him. And Hannah learned that when we come to God in humble brokenness, laying the barrenness of our lives at His feet, and trusting in complete faith, He will trade our bitterness for blessings, and sorrows for joy.