Depend on who?

This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there. And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb. 1 Samuel 1.3-5

Can a person be before God for a long period of time and remain sterile, not having a before and after to tell? Of course they can!

Notice that Ana went up every year to present a holocaust, which was double the portion her “adversary” Penina offered.

However, she would return angry, crying, and not eating. Do you know why?

First: She did not know how to identify her true adversary, who was not Penina, but her infertility, which was mainly why Elkanah had another wife.

Second: Hannah insisted on using her emotions, and God never changed someone’s life by the size of their pain, because pain has a size and dimension for man but not for Him, Who heals and delivers from any situation with the same ability. What makes a difference is the size of a person’s revolt.

Third: Her holocaust was twice as much as Penina’s, but it was given to her by her husband and not formed by her own faith; this is, she spent a long time hidden behind Elkanah’s faith, when she was the one that was sterile and, therefore, Hannah should have been the one to form her own sacrifice.

Friend, you can share a pain, but you can not share a responsibility, and you are responsible for changing the situation you are in, like what happened with Hannah, who only turned the tables when she decided to be independent and act with her own Faith.

So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”

And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. “Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.”

Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. 1 Samuel 1.9-18

The same woman that could not have one child, had six. It only depends on your faith, so stop being sterile!

God bless you greatly!
Bishop Macedo