Be a Hannah!

I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord - 1 Samuel 1:15 

Hannah’s story gives us insight into God’s heart. God does not despise human desire. Hannah’s longing for a child was obviously placed in her heart by God Himself.

Hannah was the fourth woman in biblical history to suffer through infertility. Before Hannah, three other women endured the despair of not being able to conceive. Sarah was the first, followed by Rebekah and then Rachel. However, Hannah accepted God’s promise with unwavering faith. The other three did not. Sarah laughed at the angel’s proclamation that God would give her a child. (Genesis 18:12 NIV) Rebekah questioned, “If all is well, why am I like this?” as her twins struggled in the womb. (Genesis 25:22 NKJV) Rachel gave the responsibility to her husband. (Genesis 30:1 NIV) But Hannah trusted God without doubt or concern. Her reverent fear of the Lord was another added  quality of her godly character.

Hannah’s story also teaches us that God can use human weakness to accomplish great things. God is glorified in Hannah’s story. Her weakness, her trust in God as she turned to Him, the fervency of her desire, and her faithfulness in bringing Samuel to God as promised are all evidences of God working in Hannah’s life. Her tears were ordained to be part of the glorious story of what God was doing in Israel’s history.

From the life of Hannah, we see that God knows our story from the beginning to end, that everything has a purpose, and that trust  we have in Him must never be misplaced.

Be a Hannah, never cease to pray. Your tears will never be in vain. In the midst of her trouble, Hannah continued to seek the Lord. Her strong faith is apparent, as she continues to pursue the Lord even in times of distress.