Don’t Taunt People: Devotion for Sunday May 31, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday May 31, 2020

Topic: Don’t Taunt People                             

Text: 1 Samuel 1:1 – 8                             

“If the devotions of a family prevail not to put an end to its divisions, yet let not the divisions put a stop to the devotions” so says Matthew Henry. Despite the hatred between Hannah and Peninnah in the family of Elkanah, it did not deter him from bringing them to the presence of God in Shiloh every year (1 Samuel 1:3). That goes to justify what Matthew Henry noted above.

Peninnah had children but Hannah had none yet and this gave Peninnah the edge over her which she used in taunting her (1 Samuel 1:6). Though Hannah had no child then, Elkanah still loved her dearly and demonstrated this openly (1 Samuel 1:4, 5). Maybe the love Elkanah had for Hannah made Peninnah to despise and taunt Hannah because of her problem. This is one major problem in polygamy.      

Deuteronomy 7:13, 14 teach that obedience to the terms of the covenant will be rewarded by fertility (in children, flocks, and agricultural produce). Conversely, barrenness to the Israelites was seen an indication of God’s displeasure against them. Under such a system of belief, barren women easily become the object of heart-rending taunts by child-producing second wives, or even neighbours (cf. Genesis 30:1-5; Luke 1:25, 57, 58). Such domestic broils are a natural result of polygamy or bigamy.

Do you taunt people because of their problems; no child, no spouse, no job, physical stature, etc? Remember you are not their God. God rose for Hannah at the end and her name is now a household name. Who hears of Peninnah today? Beware!

Food for Thought: Taunting someone is a mockery against his/her Maker.          

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 1:6

Prayer: Our God in heaven, help me never to taunt someone because of the person’s predicament, trouble or sickness in Jesus name.  

Pray for me as I make my birthday today

LIVE ABOVE TAUNTING: Devotion for Sunday May 22, 2016

LIVE ABOVE TAUNTING: Devotion for Sunday May 22, 2016

Text: 1 Samuel 1:9 – 18      Memory verse: v 10

Taunting can demoralize us but it should not deter us in living our lives and becoming what we dream of in life. The taunting from Peninnah made Hannah sad that she lost appetite but her husband consoled her and encouraged her to eat (1:8). Thereafter, the taunting led her into prayer. She would have considered the taunting by asking, why should I be angry? Why will I fret over what Peninnah said? Does being angry bring any good to me? Instead of binding the burden upon myself, I had better easy off and cast it upon the Lord in prayer. These motivated her into praying and thus she overcame the taunting from Peninnah (1:10). In the bitterness of her soul Hannah prayed and went ahead to back her request with a vow (1:11). This may have challenged God to answer her speedily.

From the way Hannah treated the challenge and taunting from her mate there are lessons for us. (1) We shouldn’t waste all our time in replying our critics and accusers. Rather we should use it meaningfully to improve ourselves and thus put them to shame. (2) The taunting and critics from our enemies should inspire us to draw closer to God the more. What Peninnah did made Hannah a prayer warrior. She had no time to reply her but she casted the problem to God because He is the one that solves all problem. (3) We should occasionally make vows to back up our request as Hannah did. (4) We should believe God for an answer after praying.

Food for Thought: We are the ones that can make taunting relevant when we let it deny us living our lives as we ought to.    

Prayer: Lord, let not the taunting against my life deny me from becoming what you want me to be in Jesus name.