“And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So, it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore, Hannah wept and would not eat.” 1 Samuel 1:6-7
Hannah does not get much scripture time, but wow is she an incredible story of faith and undeniable trust in God. She was one of two wives of Elkanah; the other wife is referred to as her rival, Peninnah. Peninnah was cruel to Hannah; she mocked her relentlessly for being barren. Peninnah would mock Hannah so feverishly, Hannah would weep and not eat. One particular occasion Hannah’s heart was so troubled and broken, she prayed diligently her lips moved, and the priest thought she was drunk. I envision a woman on her knees, eyes clutched tight as they could be, rocking back and forth, with some big hand motions flowing as she poured out everything to God. She bared her entire soul.
This prayer filled with honesty is so powerful in response to the text. In verse 6, we are told the Lord closed her womb, however, Hannah does not blame God; she inversely sees him as the ultimate authority, a kind and benevolent God, capable of miracles. To comprehend the magnitude of this we must understand what being barren meant during this time. Society would have thought Hannah was a dirty sinner. She would have been considered lowest of the low for women i.e. worthless. Despite this, Hannah possessed a faith so powerful she knew God would answer. After this prayer, she got up, ate, and the next day worshipped the Lord.
Stop and consider this…she was not yet pregnant. God did not answer her prayer immediately. 1 Samuel actually states, “in the course of time Hannah conceived.” Hannah’s faith was so strong as she continued in her day-to-day life she had absolute peace knowing God would answer her prayer. Hannah’s spirit knew despair, heartache, and trouble. Her faith was bigger than it all. She did not let doubt change her relationship with God. How can we keep a faith like this? What holds us back from the undeniable truth that whatever we struggle with (big or small), God is big enough to handle. Furthering God’s power – He loves us enough to walk beside us strengthening our steps. We must take the first step in humbling ourselves before God and baring it all.
God,
Help me be humble. Help my faith be bigger than my pain. Help me to see you are bigger than it all. I love you. Amen.
