How a leader waits for his season (2)

To everything there is a time and a season, and a leader waits for his season. If you cannot wait for the mangoes on your tree to ripen, you are never going to enjoy them.

You will always pluck them before they are ripe. Mind you, unripe mangoes are very different from ripe ones. In his time, God makes all things beautiful. All of God's blessings have their seasons. Church growth has a season; promotion has a season; personal prosperity has a season.

'To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.' (Ecclesiastes 3:1,11 4)

4. While you wait, use your spiritual weapons. 'And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.' (1 Samuel 1:10)

In this verse, you see how Hannah lifted up her eyes to the Lord and prayed with strong cries and tears (Hebrews 5:7). She was a prayer warrior. Your weapons are not carnal; they are mighty through God. Perhaps you need a baby. Perhaps you need a husband.

Do not resort to physical or human methods to get what you need. Many problems have spiritual roots. If you are seeking for a baby, it is good to find the appropriate medical care. Keep praying, there is power in prayer. As you study the Bible, you will realise that many people received blessings and breakthroughs through prayer.

5. While you wait, notice God's blessings around you.

'But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb. Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, 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 1:5, 8) Hannah's husband really loved her. The Bible tells us how he gave a worthy portion to her and describes his deep love for her. But Hannah did not notice her husband's love. Hannah wept and wept and did not notice that she had a good husband.

Learn to see beyond your problems. Some people are so taken up with their problems that they cannot see the goodness of God around them. Perhaps there is one fault with your husband. Do not be so taken up with that fault that you don't see how God has blessed you.

Remember, the grass always seems to be greener on the other side. At one point, Hannah's husband asked her, 'Am I not worth more than ten sons to you?' Perhaps your difficulties have blinded your eyes to the blessings of God. Please do not allow a dark cloud to brood over everything because of the one problem that you have.

'Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, 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 could not see that she had a good husband. She could not notice that her husband was very generous and kind. Hannah did not think of the fact that even if she had children they would grow up and leave the home one day. Then she would be all alone with her husband again.

6. While you wait, keep going to church. 'And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.

And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb. And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb. And as he did so YEAR BY YEAR, when SHE WENT UP TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.' (1 Samuel 1:3-7)

What does one do while waiting for a miracle? What should you do while you wait for God's answer? Hannah was the woman who kept going to church (Shiloh) in spite of her problems. Hannah is the one from whom we learn what to do while we wait for our miracle.

There are many problems that we face today. You must not be turned away from your church in spite of your problems. Dear friend, your help comes from God. The devil would like to keep you from the source of your help. Hannah was suffering from barrenness and could have stayed at home in her depression. She could have worked all day and night.

She could have resorted to witchcraft and all sorts of things to help her. But she kept going to Shiloh. Shiloh is the place where prayers and sacrifices are made to the Lord. Dear leader, may God help you to do the right things as you wait for your season.

By Dag Heward-Mills theaol@ymail.com