Rebecca Davis  Ranson, West Virginia

Hannah, a woman seeking God’s blessing of a son, poured out her heart in tears at the throne of grace. She was so engrossed in her prayer for the Lord to bless her barren womb with the gift of a son; the priest thought she was drunk. In actuality, she was drunk in the spirit sowing tears of anguish in her desire to bear just one son. She would even dedicate this blessing back to the Lord. He would serve the Lord all of his days. Her lips moved in prayer, yet there was no utterance of sound. She used her direct relationship connection with God to speak to Him. Her silent pleas, her seeds of tears, her pure faith in God were loud and clear to the Lord. It was also imperceptible to the devil. She asked that God remember her. 

God did just that; He remembered her faithful prayer. He opened up her womb and she became with child. She named him Samuel. When he was weaned, she left him at the altar to serve God just as she had promised. What a sacrifice! The birthing pains were not just the actual labor; but also in the labor of love. 

Her faithfulness was not taken for granted. She had other children, 3 more sons and 2 daughters. This shows her reaping in joy, the joy and blessing of children. Once God opened up her womb, she continued to be blessed. In her pain, she not only birthed a son, she birthed a new thing. She left a great example for us to follow. She stood steadfast when others ridiculed her for being barren. In those days, men had more than one wife and a concubine. The other wife, who had children already while Hannah could not, teased her. Hannah’s husband even question her asking, “Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” She labored and wept without support of her longing to be a mother.  

The new thing that she birthed was not just a son. She birthed in herself a dedication to God. She birthed perseverance. She birthed an obedient love of God; dedicating her first born son Samuel back to God to serve all his days. She birthed faith. She birthed self-confidence. What new thing are you birthing?

The birthing process may not be easy. The birth of something new just as the birth of a baby will come with labor. Of course, faith without works is dead. Birthing is work. We must toil. We must labor in love. Laboring in pain yields a blessing. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. James 1:17 Just because it comes from the Father, doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. You may need to put in extra work to fulfill your call. It may require extra faith and prayer. It may require extra tears. It will require obedience.

When Noah was instructed to build, it wasn’t easy. It was hard work. I imagine that he was questioned and ridiculed. His labor and obedience are examples for us, as well. His toiling in faith created the ark, protection for his family and a preserver of life for the future. Don’t give up on the call and direction of the Lord. 

Your birthing experience is unique to you. No two births are the same. Do not compare your birthing process with anyone else’s. Your call, your ministry, your job, your life, your desire is yours. We may model our steps after someone, but the pathway will remain unique to each who is steady in the laboring process. Ask to birth your desires. Anything you ask according to His will shall be given unto you.  Mark 11:24 Be faithful. Be dedicated to your God and the call He has for your life. 

Where is your dedication today? Hannah was dedicated to birthing a son. This son was not only for her, not only for her husband, but to give back to the Lord to use. The Lord used Him. The Lord blessed him as a prophet. Look at what you are birthing. How can you dedicate what you are doing back to God?

We see sports players and coaches kneel and pray and point to the sky to show who makes it ALL possible. Your business can be dedicated back to God and used as ministry to bless others in Jesus name. If we are not dedicating our lives, our children’s lives, and our livelihood back to the Lord, we risk faltering. 

If your blessing has not come to fruition as of yet, you are not laboring in vain. Your labor of love, your toiling and praying in tears of faith have not gone unnoticed. Sowing seed and enduring a rainy season is not for naught. It is in the new season that you will birth in you a new thing. Dedicate your fruit back to God. Reap what you have sewn. Give a portion of your gain as a blessing to others in Jesus name. 

Remember that God works all things together for good in his timing. Keep praying; keep laboring, even in your tears. Keep pushing and birth in you a new steadfast strength of faith and dedication.  

​

Prayer: It’s me, it’s me, it’s me O’ Lord standing in the need of prayer. Lord, my Father, I have been sowing. I have been praying. I have been laboring in tears. I have been steadfast with faith in You. Bless me Lord. Allow me to birth this “new thing” or enhance what I have been doing into something new that pleases you. I dedicate this blessing to you by being a blessing to others. Lead me in my walk according to your will. Show me exactly what you want me to do. Be the light of my path. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

​

Memory Verse: They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Psalm 126:5

​

​