ARE YOU IN A TIME OF “spiritual barrenness”? Have you prayed and prayed but still haven’t birthed your miracle? Have you tarried before the Lord with tears seeking His face? Have you been at the altar every time the doors were open crying out for His hand to move mightily in your situation to not see anything but the situation only seems to continue to worsen? You cannot see now what He’s doing, but soon you will know.
Hannah’s barrenness is ascribed directly to the activity of God. “But to Hannah her husband would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the LORD had closed her womb.” I Samuel 1:5
God had withheld children from her in order to prepare her for the birth of her son Samuel, who would become a great prophet and the final judge of Israel. I don’t always understand what God does or why He does it, but I can look back on my life and see His hands all over those difficult seasons. God has perfect timing for all things and there are different seasons for different reasons.
Hannah’s experience of barrenness, frustration, shame and waiting was a trial of her faith. But the desperate intercession it produced paved the way for her miracle to come forth and for God’s prophetic plan to be birthed. Samuel was anointed and called from a child to be a prophetic voice to a nation. Hannah was His instrument to birth this great prophet. He had a plan the whole time. What an honor for Hannah to be Samuel’s mother!
In this same way, at times God may cause you to experience disappointment, spiritual barrenness and brokenness so that you would cry out in desperation to Him for His holy intervention. Are you experiencing barrenness?? God has a greater plan. Your pain will be used for His glory when you take your unbearable situation and pain directly to Him, wait upon Him, AND NOT taking matters into your own hands. (Remember Abraham and Sarah) Hannah went up to the temple “year after year”, it doesn’t record how long she continued to pour out her heart and pain to the Lord.
Do not lose heart dear friend! Take all things to Him in prayer. Only He can heal the broken heart and bring fruitfulness to the barren. Let this unknown season become a time of fruitfulness in seeking His face. We are not promised we will not have to go through that valley of the shadow of death; but that He will walk through it with us. One day you will be able to look back and see His hands all over your situation. He is working things out for your good. Trust Him and remain faithful in the waiting. God has a plan for your pain to produce glory.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
