It’s coming… It’s coming… It’s coming… and you’re getting a sneak peek today! Our new Bible study, “Slaying Giants” has been uploaded to Amazon and should be ready today or tomorrow! Assuming that everything goes well on their end, I should have details about the upcoming study later this week. For those who are eager to get started, you might find it on Amazon later today. If you don’t see it there yet, be patient, because it will be there soon.
The topic we’ll be studying (in January) is “Courage.” I’ve had this on my heart for about two years now, during which time we’ve been slaying one giant after another. Losing our company, losing our house, going through the pandemic, and dealing with cancer are just some of the giants Michael and I have conquered by the power of God. Rejoicing together, we see the hand of God at work in our lives, and we know we’re not walking alone. God was with David when he was running from Saul. He was with Moses when he crossed the Red Sea. He was with Joseph in prison. He was with Esther in The Palace of Shushan. He was with Daniel’s three friends in the fire, and He’s with you and me.
From my archives
Opening my Bible to 1 Samuel chapter 1, I read about Hannah and Elkanah. If you haven’t read their story lately, I encourage you to dig into it and let the words sink gently into your soul. I absolutely adore the love between these two.
Elkanah had two wives, which was common in those days, one was Peninnah and the other was Hannah. We’re told in verse five that Elkanah loved Hannah, and reading through the story, we get the idea that there was a strong bond between the two.
But there was a problem. Verse five tells us that, “the Lord had shut up her [Hannah’s] womb.”
An important thing to remember here is that bearing children was of utmost importance in their society. A woman who couldn’t bear children would have been considered a failure to many. She couldn’t provide her husband with the blessings that other wives could.
Each year Elkanah took both of his wives to Shiloh where they would present a sacrifice to God. And each year, Peninnah provoked Hannah reminding her of the fact that she was barren.
Broken hearted, Hannah wept to the point where she couldn’t eat. Elkanah was empathetic because he cared for her deeply. I love what he says here,
“Why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? Am not I better to thee than ten sons?” (1 Samuel 1:8)
Hannah rose after dinner, took a seat by a post at the temple, and poured her heart out to God. This was her prayer,
And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. (1 Samuel 1:11)
I like a great love story. And this one between Elkanah and Hannah is beautiful, but the love story between Hannah and God is a greater one yet. She was willing to give the one thing that she desired most in this world back to God.
“If you give me a child,” she said, “I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life.”
Hannah surrendered her life to the Lord, and God answered that prayer by not only blessing them with a son (Samuel), but with other children as well.
Like Hannah, we must be willing to say, “God this is my hearts desire, but even this–the longing of my soul–belongs to You, Lord. Do unto us according to Your will and as You see best.”
Tilling the Soil
Read Psalm 126, where we find David’s beautiful words of encouragement and joy.
Planting Hope
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. (1 Peter 1:8, KJV)
Celebrate Christmas God’s Way…
Ma and Pa Mouse don’t have a lot of money to spend this Christmas, but they have something extra special that money can’t buy!
What is it? Let’s find out together, as we step inside their wee little house this Christmas.
Celebrate Christmas by Living God’s Way is a delightful book that teaches children to love and to give to others. It points out that the best gifts are the ones that come from the heart. When we care and share with those in need we celebrate Christmas by living God’s way.
Pick up a copy today at Amazon.com (affil link).
About the Author
DARLENE SCHACHT is an award-winning and NYT best-selling author. She is the founder of Time-Warp Wife Ministries, an online publication that encourages women to live Christ-centered lives.
Her passion for scripture and hunger for truth is the driving force behind a unique ministry that offers Bible studies and daily marriage prayers. Darlene is joined by her husband Michael on the daily podcast “5-Minute Marriage.”
Connect With Darlene:
Facebook: @timewarpwife
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Pinterest: @timewarpwife
Twitter: @timewarpwife
Amazon: Darlene Schacht (affiliate link)