“She [Hannah], greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.”
– I Samuel 1:10
This O.T. record of a godly woman’s struggles speaks to us today in at least two ways.
Hannah’s trials show us that believers are not exempt from the everyday troubles of life. Hannah’s heart was broken because of situations God allowed and because of circumstances sinful man caused. Hannah was barren (and we are told twice in back-to-back verses – five and six – that Yahweh had closed her womb). So this God-fearing woman lacked the ability to conceive – the very thing that virtually defined what it meant to be a woman in her time. Our Sovereign Lord could have altered the situation, but He chose not to at the time, so this woman endured pain as a result of a condition that God permitted. In addition, Hannah had human-caused trouble. She was “bitterly provoked” and “irritated” by her “rival” – her husband’s second wife. For whatever reason, Hannah’s husband succumbed to the culture of the day and took two wives, contrary to God’s vision for marriage and His explicit commands. The result? The wife with children (Peninnah) constantly mocked the wife without children (Hannah). Both barrenness and ridicule left Hannah “oppressed in spirit”, “afflicted”, and weeping so much she could barely eat. To make matters worse, when Hannah went to “church” (the Temple), she was falsely accused of being drunk and sharply rebuked by the priest! Yes, God’s people do go through severe trials at times. So, what are we to do?
Well, Hannah’s response to her struggles shows us that our troubles should motivate us to draw near to God. What I love about this whole situation is Hannah’s unashamed, honest prayers to God. She put aside her self-reliance and pride and inhibitions and “poured out her soul before the LORD” (verse 15). What an encouragement for us to do the same! Oh, how tempting it is either to try to figure out on our own the answers to the problems that plague us, or to wallow in self-pity – both of which keep us from the very God who cares for us and who can provide the guidance and comfort we need for the situations we encounter.
So today, I encourage you not to neglect communing with your wonderful Father. If you’re having a ‘valley’ experience right now, do like your sister Hannah and take your burdens to the Lord. If you’re having a ‘mountaintop’ experience today, then let your thanks and praises to God ring from that height! But be sure to remember a brother or sister (or even an unsaved friend or family member) who is ‘going through’, and intercede for them right now. Stand in the gap in prayer and petition God on their behalf.
– I Samuel 1:10
This O.T. record of a godly woman’s struggles speaks to us today in at least two ways.
Hannah’s trials show us that believers are not exempt from the everyday troubles of life. Hannah’s heart was broken because of situations God allowed and because of circumstances sinful man caused. Hannah was barren (and we are told twice in back-to-back verses – five and six – that Yahweh had closed her womb). So this God-fearing woman lacked the ability to conceive – the very thing that virtually defined what it meant to be a woman in her time. Our Sovereign Lord could have altered the situation, but He chose not to at the time, so this woman endured pain as a result of a condition that God permitted. In addition, Hannah had human-caused trouble. She was “bitterly provoked” and “irritated” by her “rival” – her husband’s second wife. For whatever reason, Hannah’s husband succumbed to the culture of the day and took two wives, contrary to God’s vision for marriage and His explicit commands. The result? The wife with children (Peninnah) constantly mocked the wife without children (Hannah). Both barrenness and ridicule left Hannah “oppressed in spirit”, “afflicted”, and weeping so much she could barely eat. To make matters worse, when Hannah went to “church” (the Temple), she was falsely accused of being drunk and sharply rebuked by the priest! Yes, God’s people do go through severe trials at times. So, what are we to do?
Well, Hannah’s response to her struggles shows us that our troubles should motivate us to draw near to God. What I love about this whole situation is Hannah’s unashamed, honest prayers to God. She put aside her self-reliance and pride and inhibitions and “poured out her soul before the LORD” (verse 15). What an encouragement for us to do the same! Oh, how tempting it is either to try to figure out on our own the answers to the problems that plague us, or to wallow in self-pity – both of which keep us from the very God who cares for us and who can provide the guidance and comfort we need for the situations we encounter.
So today, I encourage you not to neglect communing with your wonderful Father. If you’re having a ‘valley’ experience right now, do like your sister Hannah and take your burdens to the Lord. If you’re having a ‘mountaintop’ experience today, then let your thanks and praises to God ring from that height! But be sure to remember a brother or sister (or even an unsaved friend or family member) who is ‘going through’, and intercede for them right now. Stand in the gap in prayer and petition God on their behalf.
“For whatever was written in earlier times
was written for our instruction, so that through
perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures
we might have hope.”
-- Romans 15:4
2 comments:
Thanks for the reminder. Your words were refreshing and comforting.
Glad Hannah spoke to you like she did me. God bless.
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