Hannah's Journey

I haven't blogged anything personal lately (I've been trying to be more consistent blogging here), but I thought I would share some thoughts about Hannah's journey as she asked God for a child and how she responded to that miracle.

• Elkanah was a man who was faithful to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:3 says, "Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty . . .") and he loved his wife. I'm not sure why he needed two (I wouldn't want to be the envious and unloved wife!), but he loved Hannah dearly. (1 Samuel 1:5 says, "But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb.")
• I don't understand why the Lord had closed Hannah's womb, but I do know that Hannah's anguish and pain led to a great miracle--after many, many years of waiting, wondering, hoping, getting frustrated, and praying. Hannah's sore spot led her to see God demonstrate His great power in her life. It did not make her bitter, even when she had to wait for so long. Hannah's example of great faith and patience is so commendable!
• We all have a tendency to focus on the one thing we don't have--whether that's a job, husband, child, home, or anything that we know is not inherently bad, but we still fixate on. God never reprimanded Hannah for her desire to have a child, but through Elkanah's statement in 1 Samuel 1:8 ("Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?"), He reminds us that we need to appreciate what we do have, even while we wait for what we want. Hannah did not have a son yet, but she did have a loving husband who sought to understand and care for her.  
• Hannah's relationship with God was deeply personal. She did not approach God with a facade of having it all together. Rather, she made everything painfully plain and strikingly honest. "In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord" (1 Samuel 1:10). She also told Eli, "I was pouring out my soul to the Lord" (1 Samuel 1:15). Notice that God never held the bitterness of Hannah's soul against her. When we are tempted to keep up appearances, we may look good but we could actually be wasting away inside. God listens and He cares, and Hannah knew that. Hannah did not keep up appearances just so that people wouldn't talk about her--she cared more about being honest with God and pleading for her miracle. She asked, and she asked boldly.
• Eli blessed Hannah with peace, and when she went away she was no longer sad (1 Samuel 1:17,18 says: "Eli answered, 'Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.' She said, 'May your servant find favor in your eyes.' Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.") The Message version even says that Hannah's face was radiant after she prayed. God's peace came before Hannah's circumstances changed and before her situation was resolved. Was Hannah already pregnant? No. Did she really know God was going to answer her prayer and give her a son? No. Then why the peace? Our human minds can't explain this, but God gives peace that transcends situations, emotions, and questions. One of the greatest blessings in trials and challenges is knowing that God's grace and peace is abundant and He carries you through those circumstances. 
• God always comes through. He came through for Hannah, and He will come through for us according to His purpose and will, and in His perfect timing. The Message version of 1 Samuel 1:19 says, "And God began making the necessary arrangements in response to what she had said." Hannah was persistent to ask, and God was faithful to answer.
• I love how Hannah glorified God when He answered her prayers. Often times, we forget God's hand when we see God's gift, but Hannah did not. She shared God's faithfulness to her to Eli and she reaffirmed her confidence, trust, and faith in God (1 Samuel 1:26-2:10). 

Hannah's journey was difficult, but she never gave up. I pray the same for us, that we will wait to see God fulfill every promise He has made to us, because He is faithful and He will do it!