Most of you already know the story of Hannah from 1 Samuel 1:1-28; 2:1-26. She longed for a child, but for many years she remained barren. That did not stop her from praying ~ instead she continued to cry out to God, the only ONE who could help her. She was taunted by Peninnah. misunderstood by her husband, Elkanah and Eli the prophet, but not by God.
I love the words of Dianne Neal Matthews in the book, The One Year Women of the Bible:
"We may not struggle with infertility, like Hannah, we all have some deep, unfulfilled longing. It may be disappointment with our marriage or with our singleness. We may ache over a wayward child or a troubled relationship with a friend or relative We may long for a change in our job, environment, home situation, or personality.
God wants us to pour out our hearts to Him as Hannah did. Like Elkanah, God also wants us to be satisfied with Him alone. When we learn to give God first place in our lives, our hearts will long to know Him and please Him above all else. Then we can rest assured that He will either grant our desires or change them so that they are in alignment with His will for us."
Hannah:
~ Focus was off herself and on the power of her God (Exodus 15:11)
~ Rested in His deliverance over her enemies who taunted her (Psalm 3:8)
~ Praised Him for His holiness and the strong foundation she had in Him her Rock
(Deuteronomy 32:3-4)
~ Waited on her God who saw her situation and was well aware of her struggles
(Genesis 16:1-14)
~ Trusted Him to bring deliverance (Psalm 107:6
~ Knew He would guard and guide her (Isaiah 58:11)
~ Recognized His strength and exalted Him as her King (Psalm 24)
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may
receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
