Hope from Hannah
1 Samuel 1 tells what seems like a sad story to begin with. Hannah who is greatly loved by her husband is heartbroken, disappointed and jealous. Wow, don’t they sound like familiar emotions for us all?! While Hannah’s husband loved her, he also had another wife, Peninnah (that was normal back then to have more than one wife). Peninnah was cruel and spiteful towards Hannah because their husband loved Hannah more. All Hannah desired was a child, yet she was barren. Her barrenness became the bait that Peninnah would use to taunt and provoke her year after year.
In Hannah’s prolonged wait she faced envy, anger, deep anguish, irritation and disappointment. As each year passed I can imagine how Hannah’s sadness must have crushed her heart and darkened her days. Having to watch Peninnah so easily gain what she had only ever dreamt of would have driven her to the depths of despair.
Have you ever been there? Sunken in sadness? Desperately disappointed? Envious that everyone around you seems to have what you desire? Tired of waiting for the promise to spring forth in your life? Maybe it’s a job that you have been in for years and everyone else is getting promoted above you, or that healing you’ve been believing for, or that family member that’s walked away from Jesus and doesn’t seem like they will ever come back. Whatever it is that’s causing your deep anguish, whatever the promise is that feels so far out of reach, we can all soak in an extra dose of hope from Hannah!
Hannah’s enemy Peninnah would endlessly provoke her in her anguish “…her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her…her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.” 1 Sam 1:6-7 (NIV). Just like Hannah had an enemy, we also have an enemy that seeks to provoke us until we weep! Our enemy comes in many forms, it may be negative thoughts that we have about ourselves or the situation that we are facing, it may be thoughts of hopelessness that are unwisely spoken into our hearts through others, or it could be the seeds of disappointment that we allow to take root. When Hannah was provoked she prayed “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.” 1 Sam 1:10 {When you are provoked, PRAY} As Hannah prayed in her heart the priest Eli was watching her. She explained to him that she was praying out of her deep anguish and grief and Eli responded, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” 1 Sam 1:17. When we pray, even in our anguish and grief, we are placing ourselves in the best position to hear the Word of God for our situation. {When you PRAY listen for the WORD of God} Once Hannah had received the Word of God and the promise for her situation she worshipped God “Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back home” 1 Sam 1:19. When is the last time that you prayed for God to give you a Word for what you are facing? Be courageous and ask your loving heavenly Father to speak a Word into your heart that you can hold onto while you wait to see your promise fulfilled. When we have a Word to hold onto we can worship while we wait. {Hold onto the WORD and WORSHIP while you WAIT} Finally, Hannah sees her sweet promise fulfilled “So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”” 1 Sam 1:20. Yet even then God had more in His heart for her than just one child “And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters.” 1 Sam 2:21. God is so extravagant that He not only desires to fulfil the promises that are in your heart, He will pour into your life far more than you have asked for! {Your WORSHIP in the waiting triggers a HEAVENLY OUTPOURING} If you find yourself facing a situation that could easily drive you to despair and hopelessness take heart and find hope through Hannah’s story. When you are provoked, PRAY When you pray, listen for the WORD of God When you get the Word, WORSHIP while you wait When your promise comes expect a HEAVENLY OUTPOURING God was faithful to Hannah and He will be faithful to you, keep praying, keep hoping, keep believing, your promise is coming and it will be greater than you could have ever imagined!
Elise Heerde is a wife, mother, teacher and writer from Melbourne who loves Jesus and passionately shares about the grace, hope and love that He offers to all. She deeply desires to see the broken made whole, the captives set free and the lost brought home.
She found freedom from long-term depression and anxiety in Jesus and now dedicates her life to empowering and inspiring others to live in the freedom that comes from having a personal relationship with Jesus. You can find her instagram account here @her.anchor
Elise has a Diploma in Ministry and is currently studying her Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies.
