Hannah’s Story

Posted on May 17, 2022 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

We all have that one person who is the bedrock upon which our lives are built, a person who is that solid rock enabling us to be steadfast. That individual who sacrifices everything, so we have all we need to press on, that person who humbles themselves and allows us to stand on their shoulders and reach greater heights. If it were not for that helpmate or counselor, we would have stumbled and fallen on our life’s path. But instead, they made things happen not because it was something they had to do but because gracious, hopeful, courageous, kind, compassionate, steadfast, and loving was who they were.

Losing them creates a void in our lives that will never totally scar over; the loss will be a wound that will never fully heal. Exhaustion will become the tally of our day, and our future will seem dim… But what if there was One who would never leave you nor forsake you; Someone whose very name means self-existing and whose character is defined by faithful and true? What if there was someone who could and will offer you a way through your grief…

 

Scripture shows us that Hannah uniquely knew God. Even though He had kept her from having children, she trusted in His sovereignty over all of life, most notably, her own. Twice, God commanded that mankind go forth and multiply and swarm the earth, and it was her desire to participate in God’s will by having a child. While at Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to Jehovah with her husband, Hannah went to the Tabernacle to pray. There she cried out before the Lord a long time. Finally, Hannah made a vow that “if Jehovah remembered her by giving her a child, she would give the child to Adonai for as long as he lived, and no razor would ever come on his head.” (1 Kings 1: 11) Having poured out her soul and speaking from the depths of her anguish for not being able to fulfill the will of God, she went away in peace, assured that the God who listens and hears would show her favor. It was not long until Jehovah did just that and gave her a child, who she named Samuel, which means by the name of God.

 

When Hannah entrusted Samuel back to God around the age of 7, she did so with much praise. Among her words of worship, she proclaimed, “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like Jehovah.” (1 Samuel 2:2 NIV)

 

What gave Hannah the fortitude to trust Jehovah was her understanding of His nature? God, by definition, is absolute perfection and, thereby, Holy. God is perfect love, peace, hope, power, joy, kindness, and faithfulness. Even in her barrenness and despair, she knew Jehovah was ‘working all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.’ (Rom 8:28) We struggle with this because we allow our ideas of God and faithfulness to define Him and His will; we believe what is pleasurable is from God and what we don’t like is from the devil, but this can’t be true.   Jehovah is perfectly sovereign and always at work… He is never passive. In Hannah’s case, He made her barren until His purposes were to come about, and that was for Samuel to be born as His prophet when it was Jehovah’s time to establish the Kingdom of Israel.

 

What you are facing right now hurts. Nowhere has God ever promised it would be easy or painless; in fact, Jesus warns us to ‘count the cost of walking in God’s will.’ But I can tell you that Jehovah is faithful and will never place you in a circumstance that He has not already prepared you for or gone before you to make way for His will to be accomplished. His preparations require us to agree with Him, which requires us to crucify our desires and will with Christ, and live the life Jesus lives, and this by faith in the Word of God.’ (Gal 2:20) Quite honestly, it takes the trials and hardships to get us to do that. Still, when we become living sacrifices and renew our thinking, we will be transformed into the likeness of Jesus and agree that what He desires is good… no matter how painful. More importantly, we will experience His perfect will, enjoy His amazing grace, and know contentment just like Hannah.

 

God is that one person who is the bedrock upon which our lives should be established. He is the solid rock that enables us to be steadfast. Jehovah loves you so much that He gave His only begotten Son so that you will not perish but have eternal life when you finally believe in Jesus and His sacrificial work for you. Furthermore, you will have all you need to press on; and you will be transformed into the person who humbles themselves, allowing those you love to stand on your shoulders and reach greater heights.

 

Your grief is real; it reflects the depth in which you were loved; It hurts, it is exhausting, it cannot be avoided, and there is no remedy… But, there is hope, and His name is Jesus. I pray you trust Him today.

 

Choose Wisely…

 

Written by David Brown: David is a husband, father, grandfather, Pastor with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is the Associate Pastor of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church. He is the author of two devotional books, “From a Chair by the Window.” And “#PrayerWinsThe Day”.


Think About This: “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” – C.S. Lewis

The Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 18-19John 6:22-42| You can download our 2022 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. ” Acts 2:42

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