1 Samuel 1:20 (NKJV)

“So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel…”

God could have done an instantaneous miracle, and Hannah could have become pregnant and given birth in the same month; but that would negate the process that God had Himself put in place for gestation, formation, and maturing. And in as much as we love to hear the testimonies of instant miraculous breakthroughs, God is a God of process. God does not work with our human time, but God makes all things beautiful, “In His Time!” God does not nullify time but permits time to be part of the process of the miracle.

Samuel needed those nine months to be formed in his mother’s womb. Hannah needed those nine months to process what she would do with Samuel when he was born and weaned. Elkanah needed those nine months to ponder over Hannah’s decision to consecrate his son to the Lord. Penninah needed those nine months to observe God’s faithfulness slowly evolve before her eyes and against her every wish. When God delays or slows down the process of releasing the miracle, He is working a bigger and more glorious miracle through the delay. God instituted time for a reason. Let’s learn to respect it and not constantly expect miracles that seek to override it. We need to follow due process.