DAILY READINGS: Gen. 33:18 to 34:31; Psalms 4-6; Matt. 19:1-15
But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah:
but the LORD had shut up her womb. And her adversary also provoked
her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up
her womb. 1 Samuel 1:5-6
Hannah’s infertility elicited two responses from her intimates.
Attempting to assuage her agony, Elkanah gave her “a worthy portion”.
On the contrary, Peninah tormented her at every turn. During
Paul’s imprisonment, some tried to add to his pain while others
helped (Phil. 1:16, 17). In life’s trials, some rejoice at our calamities,
but if we are truly saints, we should “bear one another’s burdens and
so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). —Keith Keyser
Comfort, comfort ye My people,
Speak ye peace, thus saith our God. —J. Olearius