The Bible is the book of doctrine for Christians. It teaches and guides every Christians in their daily activities. It contains stories about people who experienced different trials and tribulations and how they can be victorious. Among all the people, this article explains 5 women Bible characters whose attributes and hardship inspired us.
Hannah
Hannah was a woman in the Bible who faced a lot of difficulty in her life but remained consistent in her pursuit of the Lord. Hannah’s story is told in the first book of Samuel chapter 1, and we learn that she was one of Elkanah’s two wives. Hannah was barren and mocked by her adversary, but despite her difficulties, Hannah was adamant about surrendering and submitting her worries to the Lord.
We are to endure tough trials and seasons in life, but seeking God in prayer will lead, uplift, and inspire us to continue ahead in faith, just as Hannah did. Our circumstances may not always allow us to achieve our goals, but God, on the other hand, wants us to pray to Him with bravery, boldness, and expectancy regularly.
Inspiration from the life of Hannah
1. In all things, give thanks
Hannah expresses thanks and gratitude in every situation she was in, she understood God’s ultimate sovereignty and the triumph of God’s constancy. Remembering God’s faithfulness and thanking him will strengthen, encourage, and remind us that He has not abandoned us during difficult times. Hannah continued to worship God after receiving the blessing of her son Samuel. It made her dedicate her son to God to show how grateful she is.
Our continuous dedication to seeking God in prayer and praising Him for continuing benefits, like Hannah’s, keeps us linked and encourages us that God has not forgotten about us.
2. Surrender your all to God
Hannah didn’t hold back as she was praying. She expressed her entire feeling to the Lord. Even though God was already aware of Hannah’s predicament, she submitted everything to Him and the result of the submission was fruitful.
The Holy Spirit aids us in our weakness when words are inadequate. We don’t know what we should pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us in silence. Allow God to work in and through you and your situation by surrendering all to Him.
3. Despite the opposition, Victory always prevails
Hannah’s dedication to trusting God inspires us that when we are going through tough seasons and everything seems hopeless, God will triumph over our situation. We should just wait and trust God for a better result because at the end of all circumstances victory always prevails.
This does not imply that our problems will vanish overnight, but it does indicate that we have chosen not to let them devour us, just allow God to lead us through times of adversity and turmoil.
Esther
A Jewish orphan who was adopted and raised by her older cousin, Mordecai. She was chosen as the queen after the king of Persia angrily deposed the queen for embarrassing him in front of his guest during a festival.
At this time, the king’s highest official was a wicked man, Haman. He hated the Jews, especially Mordecai and he schemed to kill the Jews in Persia. However, Mordecai heard of the plot and told Esther, that the king already agreed to it that she will be killed too and that she won’t be exempted because she is a queen. She urges all the Jews to fast and pray to God for deliverance.
Then, risking her own life she appeared in front of the king at the wrong time and she received favor from the king. She exposed the main reason Haman wanted the mass execution and the king ordered Haman to be hanged in the gallow he had built for Mordecai. The Jews were granted protection throughout the land and Mordecai was promoted to Haman’s position.
This short story explains the life Esther lived and her attributes which we should inculcate.
Inspiration from the life of Esther
1. Be Courageous
Hannah risked her life and approached the king when she wasn’t meant to see the king just to save her people from annihilation (Esther 5-1:8).
This shows that her priority was to save the people, she was not afraid of the consequences of her actions, rather she was confident and all she wanted was for the king to stop the order of killing. Not everyone can be this courageous, many have cowardly hidden behind curtains or run away when the people around them are in trouble. We should try everything we can to help a person out of trouble. We don’t know if the little we do might help us abundantly.
2. Humility
Even though Esther was a queen, she could have walked her way out of the killing but she used her position to save others, she didn’t feel superior to them. It takes a submissive person to do that, if she was proud and refused to talk to the king she might be killed too because the king may not want to defy his order to kill all the Jews.
We should emulate Hannah’s humble self and not be selfish because “a man’s pride shall bring him low, but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit” Proverbs 29:13.
3. Heeding the Holy Spirit
Esther’s obedience led to a great blessing for herself and her people. When we receive the holy spirit we must learn how to hear the words of the spirit and be able to discern the spirit. Esther’ obeyed the spirit and did what she was meant to do for her people and they were saved. As a believer, we need to obey God even when it is risky.
Mary
She is the mother of Jesus Christ. She was engaged to Joseph when the holy spirit delivered the message about Jesus’ birth. She was chosen by God and she had faith in God and trust in his words. Even though she was a virgin she got pregnant and didn’t care about criticism.
Inspiration from the life of Mary
1. Be prepared to be used by God
As an unmarried young woman from Nazareth, Mary has a very low social status but God doesn’t care about that. No matter who you are, always have in mind that God can use you even if you are holy or not.
2. Faithfulness
This is about being faithful to God and our conscience. Faith is ” the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) Despite being troubled by the words of the angel, Mary’s response to the sudden news of Jesus’ birth shows faithfulness which led to obedience.
Like Mary, we need to have faith and be obedient, trust God for the outcome of things even when we don’t know what is happening
Deborah
A charismatic counselor and prophet. She is known for her wisdom and courage (judges 4:4). As a prophet, she hears God’s voice and shares it with others. She doesn’t offer sacrifices as the men did but always leads worship services and preaches. She is the only female leader in the old testament to lead Hebrew (Exodus 18).
Inspiration from the life of Deborah
1. Be usable by God
She was a vessel unhonoured (2 timothy 11-21), she was available for God’s use. All the judges in Israel before and after Deborah were men; probably God couldn’t find a man He could use at that time, therefore, he used Deborah. Let God be able to use you when he is looking for someone to use, surrender yourself to his will, and be willingly ready for His works.
2. Be a trusted leader
When Deborah sent for Barak and delivered God’s message to him to raise an army and fight Canaanites, who had been oppressing Israel for twenty years, he did not doubt her. He trusted her message from God and was obedient. Let your followers or everyone around you know your stand, let your yes be yes and your no be no, and be truthful in all things
Ruth
Ruth the Moabite played a significant role in the coming of Jesus. After her husband died, she followed her mother-in-law, Naomi, to her homeland in Israel where she met Boaz. She dedicated herself to the Lord and played a critical role in the victory of God over sin and death through her everyday faithfulness in the face of impossible circumstances.
Inspiration from the life of Ruth
1. Loyalty
Her loyalty to her mother-in-law caught the attention of Boaz, the relative of Naomi’s husband. He heard of all she had done since the death of her husband and two sons (Ruth 2:11). He felt great respect for her and sought her hand in marriage. Women nowadays don’t care about being loyal, hard-working, or faithful, they don’t know that it can get a man’s attention for love.
2. Faith-filled
From the moment we are introduced to her, we know that she has met and been improved by the God of her mother-in-law. She declares “your God will be my God” (Ruth 1:16) and devotes herself to trust in Him. And God does not disappoint. Throughout the unfolding of Ruth’s journey, His providence and intimate care are evidenced.
As she takes action and exercises her faith, God directs her arrival at the field of Boaz, the provision of abundant grain, safety and protection, food to eat, and ultimately marriage to Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer and the birth of their son, the great grandfather of King David and descendant of our redeemer Jesus Christ.
