1 Samuel 1:1-20
The book of Samuel opens with a desperate plea to the Lord from Hannah. She aches to have a child. Hannah is one of two wives. The other wife has provided her husband with children. Hannah has been unable to. However, Hannah is favored by her husband.
In 1:5-7 it says:
But to Hannah he (her husband) gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. And because the Lord had closed her womb, her rival (the other wife) kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.
The first thing that jumped out to me in this passage was the acknowledgement that it was the Lord's doing and will that her womb had been closed.
They are not aware of it, but the stage is being set for a great leader to be raised up for Israel.
If Hannah had been able to conceive all those years, there would not have been that deep cry from within that compelled her to commit this child to the Lord.
The next thing that jumped out to me was how she handled adversity.
To add to her pain, she is being verbally abused by the other wife. Here she is living in this home with her husband, his other wife and their children. The other wife taunted her about not having children. It was degrading for a woman in those days to be considered barren. You would think that we would read of a bitter feud between the two wives. This is the perfect opportunity for jealousy, envy, anger, resentment and feelings of vengeance to emerge from such an onslaught.
But, the only evidence of emotional struggle is an understandable deep sorrow...a bitterness of soul, great anguish and grief. With all this emotion raging within her, she did not lash out at the other wife. She resorted to pouring out her soul to the Lord.
I am reminded of a verse in Deuteronomy 8:2: Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.
In today's opinions, Hannah had every right to lash out towards the other wife and defend herself. But, instead she cried out to the Lord. She came to the absolute end of herself. She longed for a child so deeply that she committed this child to the Lord. And I believe this was the plan after all. In the process, the purity of her heart was being revealed. And now, as she pours her soul out to the Lord, He can't wait to bless her with a child! It is the moment He has been waiting for in Hannah's life. The fulfillment of His will and purposes.
Verse 20 says, So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying: "Because I asked the Lord for him."
When I feel that need coming on to defend myself, I think of Jesus. First I ask Him to reveal any sin that needs to be dealt with. I think of all that Jesus endured...for me...for you...for all of humanity! And He remained quiet! So, honestly, what right do we have to lash out when offended and risk our witness for Christ! I have been there. I struggle with this often. I definitely have not perfected this, but strive to become more and more obedient with each struggle He allows in my life. I ask Him often to bind up my mouth! The only way through it is with the surrendering of all to the Lord, who is sovereign, acknowledging your own sin and accepting Christ and all that He did for you, and then receiving that gift of the Holy Spirit which enables us to rise above our circumstances and live our lives in a way that makes an impact for the Kingdom of God.
I will add to this...you may have the Holy Spirit, but does He have you! Do you take control yourself or do you completely rely on the Spirit's lead within your being? Have you asked to be emptied of anything and everything that would hinder His control over you? Or do you like having control?
There is a peace, joy, strengthening and contentment that comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to have control. Try it! What have you got to lose?!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your Word that provides us with examples of those who have struggled, those who have endured difficult desert travels, those who have trusted You, those who have cried out to You! Thank You for Your Word that provides the evidence that You do hear us when we cry out to You...and You do answer our prayers! Thank You that Your Word is full of promises that give us hope! Thank You for the precious gift of Jesus and the promised gift of the Holy Spirit to those who believe! Thank You for giving Your children power through the enabling of the Holy Spirit within us to rise above our circumstances and give You glory!
In Jesus' Name, Amen
