Life was not what Hannah wanted it to be. In a culture that valued a child-bearing woman, she was an odd ball. Married to a husband who loved her dearly, that love was not sufficient because their love had not produced a child. No matter what her husband did for her, the longing for a child could not be quenched. And the fact that a rival wife (the culture permitted more than one) had given their husband several children added to Hannah's self-reproach; especially since the rival took every opportunity to remind Hannah she had no children. Year after year the longing in Hannah's soul grew into an agony that produced bitter tears and loss of any desire to eat. In her heart life was miserable.
Things looked bleak.
But Hannah decided to do something that changed her life. Hannah prayed! She prayed the disappointment she had felt month after month and year after year, the soul pain of the constant torment from her adversary, the ever-diminishing self-esteem; and the tears flowed. As the prayer and tears flowed, Hannah's spirit experienced a cleansing that allowed her to arrive at a place of hope that can only come from God. After praying the circumstances, Hannah prayed her heart: "God, if you give me a son, I will give him back to you."
God responded to Hannah's heart-prayer. A year later, Samuel was born. Hannah kept her word and when the child was old enough (about 2 or 3 years old), Samuel was taken to live with Eli the priest. The child grew and God began to work in the life of the child. And the power of God grew in Samuel's life. Hannah's heart-prayer not only brought her a son, the prayer brought on the scene one of the greatest prophets who ever lived.
No matter how bleak things may seem, prayer has the power to change not only the current situation but also the future. Pray about what you are facing; and believe that God has the answer.
Bible reference: 1 Samuel, chapters 1-3
Comments
Post a Comment