“Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).
Peter was encouraged and inspired as he observed the Lord walking on water, but he was dismayed when he noticed the boisterous wind (Matt. 14:28-30). It seems remarkable that he became distracted as he came close to his Lord, that is, until we consider how distracted we become by the wind and waves in our lives as our Lord’s coming approaches.
As we near our heavenly goal, Satan increases his attacks. Such “storms” in our personal, professional and assembly lives threaten to discourage us constantly. These attacks affect our enjoyment and liberty and may cause absence or departure from the very place where the Lord is found.
Elkanah and Hannah experienced similar attacks as they drew near to the Lord (1 Sam. 12). When they made their annual trip to worship the Lord, they confronted incredible evil. Outward immorality at the gates and willful disregard for the sanctity of the offerings by the priests characterized the general testimony. The effect was that “men abhorred the offering of the Lord” (1 Sam. 2:17).
Though these conditions may have kept many away, Elkanah and Hannah came—even though, for Hannah, there were other disappointments in her life. The Lord had shut up her womb and her adversary provoked her about it (1 Sam. 1:5-6). Despite all these things, she came with her husband to the place where the Lord could be found.
In our homes, workplaces and assemblies, we may not see evil as obvious as that practiced by Hophni and Phinehas, but there will be something to discourage. Satan will see to that. He will ever suggest that “things are really bad—you should stay away.” He diverts our gaze in the wrong direction—around (like Peter) rather than up.
Elkanah and Hannah were blessed in the end, for Hannah received a son, Samuel, dedicated him to the Lord and was rewarded with more sons and daughters.
It was not an easy time for Samuel either. The wicked Hophni and Phinehas were still priests during his younger years. Yet he did not leave the place where the Lord was, and there the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel and began to use him (1 Sam. 3:20).
In later years Samuel’s sons did not follow his path of faith (1 Sam. 8:3). He experienced rejection from the people he served (ch. 8:6-7), and he was compelled to appoint a king who wanted only to use Samuel as a connection with Jehovah. Yet He served the Lord without giving up.
Rich blessings are promised for those who overcome. Even in the condition described in Laodicea, where all had fallen into a lukewarm condition, we have this promise: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne” (Rev. 3:21).
In these days—as in the days of Hannah, Samuel and Peter—there is much to discourage. Let us acknowledge that we, too, become distracted by our environment, rather than having our eyes fixed on the One who alone can encourage, inspire and keep us. Let us ever remember that “He that is in you” is greater than “he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Let us not, because of dark, stormy conditions, failure or weakness, give up, thereby “forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25). Peter encourages and exhorts us to “humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).
D. Lamb (adapted)