But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion...but the Lord had shut up her womb... And her adversary also provoked her sore for to make her fret. I Sam.1 v.4-5

     Peninnah's name means pearl- a jewel formed by irritation! The provoker's name could have been Regina, Betty or Dana. We could all fill-in-the-blanks with the name of someone whose irking drove us to God's best.

     There is one thing I do to hurry-up the painful process of change when a provoker is making me sore.  Face it, Hannah changed (gloriously into a faith-powerhouse Mom of 6!) but Peninnah kept doing her mean, irritating thing.) I attach a scripture to the pain. So every time the provoker hits me, the Word goes into me.

      Every time, every time, every time I get hit, I force myself to speak, scream, cry, mumble, or shout my agreement with what the Word says about my situation. Well, eventually, that Word is going to come out of me. The creative power of the Seed of the Word will manifest and bring forth my change, my deliverance and my victory. The fruit of my lips creating the new and the better!

      This is not easy. See Hannah in the temple. Separating herself to cry out to God, vowing a holy, desperate vow and being misunderstood. (v.10) Provocation can trigger rejection if we are not strong in knowing who we are in Christ. This is not easy, but greatness never is. How many of us would be satisfied with the "worthy portion" that Hannah's husband gave her even though she was childless?  "Worthy" ain't half-bad! It does mean excellent and honorable- but could it ever take the place of the dream in your heart, of the burning desire? 

Father, When I am provoked sore, take me beyond "worthy"!  For my "Samuel" & for your Glory! 

Lee Andrews

April 21, 2010