Ignoring Peninnah

Scripture

1 Samuel 1: 5-7 (NLT) 5 And though he loved Hannah, he would give her only one choice portion[b] because the Lord had given her no children. 6 So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children. 7 Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle.[c] Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat.

1 Samuel 1:10 (NLT) 10 Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.

Matthew 5:44 (KJV) 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Psalm 119:11 (KJV) 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Ignore: refuse to take notice of or acknowledge; disregard intentionally. (Oxford Languages)

Devotion

Can you imagine what it was like for Hannah? Being taunted nonstop by her adversary because of something she had no control of? That had to be difficult for Hannah… yet she never retaliated! She did not even ask God to annihilate her enemy! She ignored Peninnah! She cried and prayed many days asking the Lord, not to deliver her from Peninnah, but to bless her with a son. That in itself is heavy.

Usually, when we are going through we tend to pray that the Lord would deliver us from what we are going through. We tend to lose focus on what we really need to pray for. Although Hannah was being taunted by someone verbally, she lived with this enemy and saw this enemy’s children daily. Meanwhile, she was praying for a child! She ignored the taunting, stayed focused, and continued to pray that God would deliver her from barrenness. She continued to pray through tears, being misunderstood, and waiting!

We all have a Peninnah! It may not be in the same form of what Hannah had to deal with, but we have one. Though it was external for Hannah, the taunting can also be internal. Peninnah can come in the form of negative thoughts, persecution, self-doubt, failed attempts at something the first time, and so much more. Many times, we try to focus on our purpose but pessimistic people and thoughts can paralyze us from getting to our destiny and true purpose.

In order to ignore the Peninnah that taunts us, we must first identify it. Then, we must identify what we are really praying for and focus on it. Finally, we must make up in our minds that no matter how loud Peninnah gets, we will focus on the task at hand. Even with tears running down our faces, we have to ignore and look toward our miracle. Be encouraged. Tears will flow and you will be misunderstood, but remain focused and ignore Peninnah!

Prayer

Dear God,

I need your strength to follow the example that Hannah set before me. Hannah’s strength to ignore Peninnah amazes me. She never once prayed that you would get rid of Peninnah or cause her any harm. She continued to pray for what she wanted. Lord, as I refocus my prayers of what I need you to do for me, help me to look away from what seems to be so difficult to ignore. Help me to do as your word says “…pray for those that despitefully use you, and persecute you…”. God help me to hide your word in my heart so when difficult times come, I can be encouraged in your word. Don’t let me look like what I am going through, but let others see You through me. Your grace is sufficient and it carries me! Thank You! God, I make a continuous decision not to rob you of your praise, but I will worship my way through! Thank You in advance for your continued strength!

Amen