The Third factor that can hinder you from getting to your Promise Land

We have said at the beginning of the year that 2014 is the year of enlarging our tents. We have seen the different factors that can hinder one to get to their promise land (for instance disobedience and lack of repentance). Today we are going to look at another factor that can prohibit people to enjoy the great things that God has prepared for them and it is impatience.

James 1: 2-4 says: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Being patient while going through trials is very important. We have many characters in the bible that either failed their mission on earth or brought chaos as a result of their impatience. Cain, because he was not willing to wait and work on a better offering that could be accepted by God chose to kill his brother Abel and this brought a curse upon His life. Esau was hungry and because of his impatience, He chose to sell his birthright to Jacob in order to satisfy His hunger.  Another example is Abraham who because of his impatience chose to sleep with Hagar and created a conflict that we still witness on our TV sets today between Jews and Palestinians. There are many other examples like Lot, Moses and even Judah who unlike Peter could not bear with His sorrow but chose to kill himself. If He had waited, he probably would have repented and received the grace of God after seeing Jesus Christ resurrected.

Having said this, let’s go to the book of 1 Samuel 1:1-28 (Kindly read this passage). Hannah could not bear children because her womb was closed; interestingly by God. Probably sometimes people would see Hannah and feel sorry for her because of this problem. What is interesting is that she was getting a double portion from Elkanah. The patience/perseverance of Hannah was preparing her for a great miracle.

Maybe people have been seeing you going and coming from church. Nothing seems to be happening in the physical realm and they wonder why you continue to go; where is your God? They don’t know the blessing you are receiving from God and the path you are taking that will generate great things in the future.

The greater the miracle, the greater the patience it requires. God himself had chosen to close the womb of Hannah for such a great miracle as giving birth to Samuel.  There are doors that God closed in your life for a great testimony ahead. Hannah sought the Lord more than Peninnah, she was close to God.  When someone is going through such a time, they pray, so that they can get a testimony. There is a place that sometimes you have to go through, not because God has forgotten you but because He is shaping you. Wait on Him. Don't give up. After this, you will see the great future that He has prepared for you.

Sermon preached by Pastor Nahimana Dieudonne