Starting off the book of 1st Samuel is an amazing story of a simple woman that cannot be overlooked. It is a story of unrelenting faith, sacrifice and the cry of a longing heart. A little background on this may help some.
Hannah existed in a crucial time in Israel. Israel would, in later years, move from having judges to having a monarchy. Her son, Samuel, would be the person to anoint the first and second kings of Israel. But making that statement ‘her son’ would make her journey to having children seem easy, when in reality it was far from easy.
First Samuel chapter 1 begins with introducing Elkanah and his ancestors. It also mentions that Elkanah has two wives, namely Peninnah and Hannah. Peninnah had children but Hannah was barren. In those days, to be barren was a source of humiliation and shame. Peninnah took advantage of that fact and made a living from taunting Hannah, making sure she never forgot that she didn’t measure up. Every year Elkanah’s entire family would make a trek to Shiloh to make a sacrifice. This time was extremely hard for Hannah because Peninnah would reduce her to tears and make her so depressed she wouldn’t want to eat. Thankfully in the midst of this Elkanah reminded Hannah how much he loved her and that he didn’t look down on her because of her circumstances. But that was not enough for Hannah. Hannah had reached the point of no return. She went to the temple and poured her heart out to God. The priest, Eli, saw her and guess what? He thought she was drunk and rebuked her. Hannah then simply explained her situation and ended up getting his blessing. The Bible then states that after that Hannah was no longer sad, she ate, she worshipped and her blessing came. She eventually gave birth to a son.
There are many things we can learn from Hannah, not all of them pertaining to having children. Hannah was in a position that many of us are in, in our own times.
God’s purpose
The Bible says that Hannah had ‘been given no children’ (NLT) or that the Lord had ‘closed her womb’ (NKJV).
So what does this mean? What can you and I take away from this?
We may not be in a place of asking God for a child like Hannah was but the Holy Spirit has birthed many ideas, visions and dreams within our hearts and from where we stand things may seem impossible. It seems that our spiritual wombs have been shut and that nothing can come from us. We must always remember that despite how our circumstances present themselves, God’s timing is perfect. God closed Hannah’s womb for a reason and surely God brought forth Samuel in the right season. Sometimes that is not the easiest thing to hear, ‘It will happen in God’s timing,’ but God does have a plan. We can trust Him.
Hannah’s story gives us a bit of insight. Because of her circumstances, Hannah made a vow to give her son back to God. Because she gave him back to God, Samuel had the training and exposure he needed to fulfil the role of judge over Israel and all his other earthly duties. Hannah gives us hope that God will bring to life His promises in our lives in the right time (when He thinks we are ready) and in the right season (in Hannah’s case, when Israel needed Samuel’s voice).
Psalm 138:8; Job 22:21; Philippians 4:13; Habakkuk 2:3; Ephesians 1:11
Give up or press on
Many of us face the daily circumstances of someone close to us taunting us. Sometimes it doesn’t have to go as far as another person. Maybe the devil torments your mind, sewing seeds of doubt and shame. Maybe they question your ability to hear God. Maybe they question God Himself. Maybe they insinuate that God has forgotten you because not even you have seen the fruits of your promise. Maybe you’re in a place of feeling depressed or as the Bible puts it ‘great anguish’.
I can see it now: Hannah standing with Peninnah’s voice in her ears screaming failure and doubt, but God’s voice quietly calling forth rivers of faith and violent warfare for the promises He had spoken concerning her. Hannah exemplified what some of us do not. She allowed her depressed state and utter torment from Peninnah to push her to the point of petition, promise and prayer. Hannah was walking in the will of God. She carried a promise she knew would come to pass and she laboured in the place of prayer until the time was right.
When God makes a promise, no matter how hard the process may seem keep praying, keep pressing and keep focused until you see your blessing come to pass. Don’t just sit back waiting for something to happen, fight for it.
Luke 1:37; Galatians 6:9; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28; 2 Chronicles 15:7
Attitude
In the midst of Hannah fighting for her breakthrough Eli approached her and accused her of being drunk. This scene could have gone two different ways: it could have gone how we see it in the Bible or Hannah could have flipped out and gotten offended and upset, stormed out and shouted back, “Can’t you see I’m grieving? Can’t you see I’m already so hurt?”
Sounds familiar? Need I say more?
Ever heard the term ‘our attitude determines our altitude’? Hannah’s attitude played an important role in this story. Rather than responding in rejection and offense in her response to Eli, she received his blessing on what she was asking God for because of her good attitude and the posture of her heart. Imagine just for a moment if she had reacted differently.
In the midst of your darkest times, everything may seem as though it is going south. Every bit of your life may seem like it is falling apart – and to rub salt in the wounds someone slanders your very character. Remember to remain focused on your promises and let the love and truth of God hug your heart and show through in your actions. Don’t let the enemy swoop in at the last moment and steal what you have been labouring for.
Let God be the God of your life, your heart, your mind and your attitude.
Luke 10:27
