Tag Archive: Pride


When the LORD Shut Up Her Womb

Filed under: Creatively Speaking, Focus, Have You Thought About?, Overcoming, Prayer, Uncategorized — 2 Comments
July 3, 2019

D.J. Martin  (SingleFocus Ministry®)

What outrageous times we live in! There are places where tyrants dictate how many boys or girls they can have. And then there are places where people delight in shedding the blood of innocent babies to the tune of over 60 million. I don’t know how that compares to the number killed by Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. (Exodus 1:15-22) The irony is that there are wives desperate to have children. Some of them are trying to adopt, and some are on fertility diets. Some are working out and taking vitamins. Some women are soliciting surrogates or going to fertilization specialist. And of course, there are those who are reading their Bibles, and weeping and praying.

I don’t know how long you’ve been waiting and praying. No doubt, you’re thinking, “What is this silence from heaven?” Even though you may not have conceived yet, the words of the three Hebrew men put into the fiery furnace remains true; “…our God whom we serve is able…” (Daniel 3:17)

Take a look at what Hannah did when the LORD shut up her womb. (1 Samuel 1:1-28; 2:1-10) Though she wanted children, her husband’s other wife, who was very fertile, mocked and harassed her. Hannah and her husband were devout worshippers. They were good people. Consistently, they went to the “house of the LORD,” where Hannah prayed for a child. Year after year, though she prayed, she was verbally tormented by the other wife.

As unremitting harassment and anxiety brought her to tears, Hannah relentlessly prayed. On one of their usual visits to the “house of the LORD,” she wept and prayed intensely. She prayed quietly and desperately; only God could hear her. However, when the priest, Eli, saw her moving her lips with no sound, he thought her drunk from drinking too much wine.

Notice in verse 11 of 1Samuel 1, when Hannah prayed, her request was no longer about the embarrassment or her pride. This time, her request became about the glory of God. “O’ Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of me, your handmaid, and remember me, and give me a man-child, then I will give him unto You LORD all the days of his life…”

After explaining that she was not drunk but praying, Eli, not knowing her prayer request, blessed Hannah saying, “Go in peace and may God grant the request you asked of Him.” (1Samuel 1:17) Then, Hannah left the “house of the LORD” with a different attitude. She was not anxious anymore. (Philippians 4:6-7) She wasn’t pregnant but, she left feeling very good. (1Samuel 1:18)

What happened? Eli was a confirmation to Hannah that God heard her prayer. Hasn’t that happened to you? After you’ve prayed in secret to God about something, someone from your church or the pastor says something relevant to your prayer. Then, your anxiety disappears, and suddenly peace comes over you.

In timely fashion, the LORD opened her womb and blessed Hannah so that she conceived a boy name, Samuel (1Samuel 1:20). She kept her vow, and when he was only a child, she left Samuel with Eli to serve in the “house of the LORD.” (1Samuel 1:24) But, praise God; that is not how the story ends. Hannah praised the LORD and declared His goodness and power. (1Samuel 2:1-10) Then, Eli blessed and prayed for Hannah and her husband that they have more children. (1Samuel 2:20) God answered that prayer and opened her womb again and again. Hannah had three more sons and two daughters.

Perhaps you can identify with Hannah. Could be the culture is tormenting you. Could be it is pride that makes you anxious. It could be that having a child or children is the sincere desire of your heart, so you are praying. I’m not going to tell you what I think the lesson is in Hannah’s prayer or her testimony. I want you to do that. Study the story for yourself.  Let the Holy Spirit minister to you.

However, I will point out the glaring or most obvious:

  1. Though her womb was shut, she persistently prayed to the LORD
  2. She received confirmation that the LORD heard her prayer
  3. After prayer and that confirmation, she had an inexplicable peace
  4. At His sovereign timing, the LORD answered her request and opened her womb
  5. She gave the LORD thanks

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Be encouraged. Don’t give up. Don’t stop praying.

“Go in peace; and the God of Israel grant you your petition that you have asked of Him”  1Samuel 1:17

That’s Today’s Single Focus

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New Year’s Resolve: Day 6!

Filed under: Focus, Have You Thought About?, Hope for a struggling Marriage, Searching For Purpose?, Staying Together, Uncategorized — 2 Comments
January 7, 2013

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

Happy New Year!I believe that this is God’s resolve for us. I’ll let Him speak in His own Words…

“Behold, I [am] against thee, [O you] most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for your day is come, the time [that] I will visit you.”  Jeremiah 50:31

“The most proud shall stumble and fall; and no one will raise him up; I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it will devour all around him.”  Jeremiah 50:32

These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

  1. A proud look,
  2. a lying tongue,
  3. and hands that shed innocent blood,  Proverbs 6:17        
  4. A heart that devises wicked plans,
  5. Feet that are swift in running to evil,
  6. A false witness who speaks lies,
  7. And one who sows discord among brethren.  Proverbs 6:18-19

“Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.”  Jeremiah 13:15

“Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; though they join forces, none will go unpunished.” Proverbs 16:5

“But if you will not hear it, My soul will weep in secret for your pride; My eyes will weep bitterly And run down with tears, Because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.”  Jeremiah 13:17

“The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.”           Psalm 10:4

“All that is in the world: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father, but is of the world.” 1 John 2:16

“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

“The LORD of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth.”  Isaiah 23:9

“Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”  Proverbs 11:2

“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.”  Proverbs 16:18

“A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.”  Proverbs 29:23

“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  Matthew 23:12

  1. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and He shall lift you up. James 4:10

  1. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time: 1 Peter 5:6

“If My people, which are called by My name, shall

  1. humble themselves, and
  2. pray, and
  3. seek My face, and
  4. turn from their wicked ways;

then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  2 Chronicles 7:14

“For you are bought with a price: therefore

  1.  Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:20
  2.  My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;

The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Psalm 34:2

  1. In God we boast all the day long,
  2.  and praise His name forever. Psalm 44:8

 [It is] better to

  1. Give unto the LORD the glory [due unto] His name.

For great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also [is] to be feared above all gods.              1 Chronicles 16:25

  1. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name;
  2. Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Psalm 29:2

And whatever you do in word or deed,

  1. Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
  2. Giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  Colossians 3:17
  3. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,  Colossians 3:23

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  Colossians 3:24

This New Year we should resolve to resist pride and flee from the company of the proud.  We must humble ourselves and allow Christ to be our Lord. The gifts and ability we have is all from God.  Whatever good we do should be for the glory of God, not for the gratification of our ego.  We should be careful not to boast in ourselves or our ability.  We ought not to think more highly of ourselves than others.  It is God that gives the air that we breathe. He deserves the greater applause.

Some boast in their: riches ; houses; talents; skills; churches; groups; vehicles; wardrobe; education; position or status etc.  But we must be ever mindful that God is the source of all that we are and all that we have. He can take it away in an instant, if we continue in pride and do not humble ourselves. 

Knowing that God hates pride, we must be careful to not let pride keep us from fellowship with God, our friends and love ones.  Sometimes having too much pride to say, “I’m sorry” or “I forgive you” tears a family apart, and divorce lawyers are outpacing the undertakers.

May we resolve to walk in humility, boasting in the Lord, acknowledging and glorifying Him for every good work and accomplishments.

This New year, with the help of the Holy Spirit, may we resolve to pull off pride, humble ourselves, and be careful to give God the honor, glory and praise due Him.We should seek to point all eyes toward God and not on ourselves.

 “Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.”                Proverbs 16:19

That’s Todays’ Single Focus…

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