“And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.” I Samuel 1:6-7
Hannah had a problem. She was barren, which in those days was a sign of reproach. It was not because of any sin in her life that caused her to be that way. Verse six of Chapter 1 tells us that the Lord had shut up her womb. As we read her story, we can see that the Lord was preparing her for a special purpose, and until it was His perfect time, she would remain barren.
As usual, the family journeyed to Shiloh to worship the Lord. Hoping it would be different this year, Hannah accompanied them. As her adversary provoked her, she began to weep and refused to eat. She had persevered for years, rising above the pain that she bore. She had trusted God and done everything she knew to worship and please him. But it seemed like she had come to the end of her rope. In desperation, she walked away from her family and found a quiet place to seek the face of the Lord.
In bitterness of soul, she wept before the Lord. “Lord, I have waited so long for a child. Would you please look on my affliction and hear my cry today? Grant the desire of my heart and give me a little boy. I will give him to you to serve you.”
Eli realized that she was asking something special from the Lord, and he spoke to her, saying that the God of Israel would grant her petition. Hannah, believing the promise, went back to her family to eat. Joy replaced the sorrow in her heart. In time, Samuel was born, and Hannah fulfilled her promise to give him to God.
Whatever may be broken in your life today, remember His promise in Jeremiah 29: 11-13: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
Thought For Today: God hears the cry from a broken heart, and in His love and mercy steps in and restores the joy. He makes something beautiful out of what seemed to be of no value.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
