1 st Samuel 1:1-6

Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 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. 4 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. 5 But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the LORD had closed her womb. 1 st Samuel 1:1-6

Have you ever had a Peninnah in your life? That rival or person that really gets under your skin.

We see that Hannah had a rival in Peninnah (vs. 6)  We see that Hannah had a rival in Peninnah (vs. 6)  Why did Peninnah provoke Hannah? Provoke means – Unmerited treatment, stir up inwardly, thunder. Provoke means – Unmerited treatment, stir up inwardly, thunder. This went on continuously. (vs. 7) This went on continuously. (vs. 7) Could it have been because Elkanah loved Hannah more? (vs. 5) Could it have been because Elkanah loved Hannah more? (vs. 5)

Because of this, did Peninnah become jealous and use the fact that Hannah had no children while she herself had at least four children? (vs. 4)

Why do the Peninnahs in your life do the things that they do towards you?  Why do the Peninnahs in your life do the things that they do towards you? Maybe it’s because you may have material possessions that they don’t have. Maybe it’s because you may have material possessions that they don’t have. Maybe it’s because you hold a higher position at work. Maybe it’s because you hold a higher position at work. Maybe it’s because you have chosen to follow after Jesus Christ. (Matthew 5:11) Maybe it’s because you have chosen to follow after Jesus Christ. (Matthew 5:11)

"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Matthew 5:11

We may ask ourselves, Why did God allow Peninnah to be in Hannah’s life?  We may ask ourselves, Why did God allow Peninnah to be in Hannah’s life? Why did God allow Peninnah to constantly provoke, irritate, to be a thorn in Hannah’s life? Why did God allow Peninnah to constantly provoke, irritate, to be a thorn in Hannah’s life? We may even ask, “Why does God allow such people into our lives?” We may even ask, “Why does God allow such people into our lives?” Why does He allow us to suffer day after day, year after year because of those who seek to provoke and hinder us? Why does He allow us to suffer day after day, year after year because of those who seek to provoke and hinder us?

As we go through this study, we are going to see that God allows suffering in our lives.

But, He also uses prolonged suffering.  But, He also uses prolonged suffering. There is something about time. There is something about time. We don’t like to suffer. We don’t like to suffer. If we are going to have to suffer, we want it to be short, done and over with quickly. If we are going to have to suffer, we want it to be short, done and over with quickly.

Sometimes God allows us to be in situations, or even puts us in situations, where the suffering goes on year after year and it doesn’t look like there’s any end in sight.

God uses prolonged suffering for several reasons.  God uses prolonged suffering for several reasons.  I will just suggest a few thoughts. Maybe it’s to test our faith. Maybe it’s to test our faith. -Do we really believe that God is there for us, or do we depend on our own understanding?

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

God uses prolonged suffering for several reasons.  God uses prolonged suffering for several reasons.  I will just suggest a few thoughts. Maybe it’s to test our faith. Maybe it’s to test our faith. -Do we really believe that God is there for us, or do we depend on our own understanding? Maybe it’s to show what’s really in our hearts. Maybe it’s to show what’s really in our hearts. To show us what we are really like inside. To show us what we are really like inside. -Anyone can put up with a moment of irritation, but years of irritation begin to expose what we’re really like.

We get squeezed…

You squeeze a lemon, what comes out?  You squeeze a lemon, what comes out?  When we get sqeezed over time, what comes out shows us what’s really inside. Sometimes it’s not a pretty sight is it? Sometimes it’s not a pretty sight is it? We start to see… “My heart is ugly.” We start to see… “My heart is ugly.” Lemon Juice

It might be that third or fourth child.  It might be that third or fourth child. The first two were pretty easy. They slept through the night peaceably, quiet and compliant. The first two were pretty easy. They slept through the night peaceably, quiet and compliant. Then there was the third child. Then there was the third child. -No text book was written for this child. Day in, day out, this child just knows how to push your buttons. Day in, day out, this child just knows how to push your buttons.

You see, God will use that child, rival or whoever is setting out to provoke you.  You see, God will use that child, rival or whoever is setting out to provoke you.  It may be those who are in their own little group and don’t acknowledge you and leave you out. But, God will use that person or persons to expose what’s really in you heart. But, God will use that person or persons to expose what’s really in you heart.

As in water face reflects face, So a man's heart reveals the man. Proverbs 27:19

25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 "Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28 "Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Matthew 23:25-28

You see, God will use that child or rival, whoever is setting out to provoke you.  You see, God will use that child or rival, whoever is setting out to provoke you.  It may be those who are in their own little group and don’t acknowledge you and leave you out. But, God will use that person or persons to expose what’s really in you heart. But, God will use that person or persons to expose what’s really in you heart. We think to ourselves, “That’s not me. That’s not my heart. That person made me do it.” We think to ourselves, “That’s not me. That’s not my heart. That person made me do it.”

10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand: 11 "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." Matthew 15:10-11

As Christians we must strive to have pure hearts.  As Christians we must strive to have pure hearts.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

As Christians we must strive to have pure hearts.  As Christians we must strive to have pure hearts.  When others do wrong to us, whether intentional or unintentional, we must have within us the mind of Christ. 1 st Corinthains2:16; Ephesians 5:1-2; 2 nd Corinthians 12:7-9 1 st Corinthains2:16; Ephesians 5:1-2; 2 nd Corinthians 12:7-9

It is through pain and suffering that we see God’s grace and Mercy. It is through trails or tests that our faith is made stronger.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. 1 st Samuel 1:10

We see that Hannah was suffering inside, she was in bitterness of soul.  We see that Hannah was suffering inside, she was in bitterness of soul. But what she did because of it is the point of this lesson. But what she did because of it is the point of this lesson. She prayed to God and wept in anguish. She prayed to God and wept in anguish.

This is given to us as an example!  This is given to us as an example! When we are put in situations, when people are put in our lives to provoke us, what is truly in our hearts will come out. When we are put in situations, when people are put in our lives to provoke us, what is truly in our hearts will come out. Along with that, will come pain and suffering. Along with that, will come pain and suffering.

It is at these times that our dependency on God is shown.  It is at these times that our dependency on God is shown.

28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

How is your heart? Do you really know? Has it been tested? If not, it will be one day. Will you do as Hannah did and go to God? Will you come tonight?

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20