Fruitfulness

¶ So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. 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. And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. (I Samuel 1:9-18)

The epic of Hannah who’s name means gracious, is a story of trial, faith and victory of a woman who was in a dark place.  She overcame her dark situation by running to the light  of the presence of YHWH and received grace from the Almighty because of her perseverance and faith.  Hannah was not only overshadowed by the bareness of her womb, she was vexed in an adversarial situation in her own household. Being barren was thought to be a curse based on the blessing of (Deuteronomy 7:13-14) which decreed no barrenness to the faithful.  Because she knew the story of Rachel and Leah who’s situation was quite similar, she believed to faith that YHWH would be gracious to her.  Despite her faith, she had no control over her emotions but was anxious to make her petition to the Lord.  Her husband led his family on a pilgrimage to the Temple yearly and had a feast afterward.  I can only imagine how anxious Hannah  was to get to the temple.   When she arrived she vehemently made her petition to the Lord and her vow would be the exercising of her Faith.

For the Saints we can see how this applies  to our lives when we have a lack of something, a bareness,  a sense of an unfulfilling life or lack of success. . We come into Christianity with many suppositions focusing on the promises of abundance in this life and eternal prosperity. We are especially filled with the notion of “no barrenness”  in the era of prosperity preachers and when we live in a decadent society when the main focus on life is the love of self. The I and mine being the center of the universe.  The idea that if you are not in my group, financial status, church organization,look like me, talk like me, like the things I like, you are an other and all others are beneath me.  The outsider who feels that he or she is lacking something that society deems valuable, that will make them an insider is pushed or falls into a dark place which could be rebellion and hatred or depression  and a feeling of being lost and alone.  When you make Yeshua the center of your universe and the salvation of your soul the most important thing that matters to you then everything else has less value but YHWH will give the increase as he see fit.  The right doors of opportunity will be open.  The door of finance, love and fellowship will be fruitful.  Whatsoever you do will prosper.  Your song will not be sad but will be of praise  the Lord of Hosts as King David sang. “ And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalms 1:3)”.  And this is the blessing of the righteous, the one who forsakes the world and all others.  The Lord will fill you with all good things.  Trouble may come but will quickly be dispelled because the Holy Spirit will lift up a standard, your comforter will go to battle with you and lead you to victory.  No flood of despair or vexation  can overtake the Spirit filled, Spirit led Saint of the Most High YHWH Almighty.  You are His, He loves you.  He draws closer to those who draw close to Him.

Hannah found the secret to no barrenness.  She was in a dark place and ran to YHWH who is our hope.  The key to fruitfulness is putting YHWH first. The Word of YHWH is true, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:33-34)”. We must make him our desire, he is our hope and provision, everything that you need, let him provide it and it will be increased, blessed many times over.  It will be good to you and good for you. You don’t have to make a vow of animal sacrifice to the Lord, you give your self as the sacrifice, surrender to his word, his will and his way.  Make sure your anchor is secured.  Are you born of the word, believing in him, born of the Spirit, filled with the Holy Spirit and letting Him be your guide.  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14) and he will lead you to fruitfulness abundantly continuously forever Amen.