Women in the Bible - Hannah

 

 “Prayer makes a difference!”  After reading I Samuel, I am convinced this is exactly what Hannah believed.  She was called a woman of prayer.  Hannah prayed in good times and bad.

    She wanted a baby so desperately that she made a vow to God.  If He would bless her with a child, she would raise him to live for God.  Hannah was so determined, she continued to pray and seek God’s divine will.  She knew in her heart that God would bless her.

    Hannah had faced many struggles, showing she had a difficult life.  Her husband, Elkanah, had another wife, Peninnah, who constantly mocked Hannah.  Peninnah had many sons and daughters.  However, she ridiculed Hannah because she was unable to have children.

    Instead of running and telling everyone her problems, Hannah went to her Father in heaven.  The proper way to respond in any situation is to pray.  She begged God to give her a son that she might give him back to God.

    She quietly went to the temple and prayed, pouring her heart out to God for a child.  Her prayer was powerful and God answered, “O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life.”  I Samuel 1:11

    God saw Hannah’s sincere heart and blessed her with a son.  She named him Samuel, which means, “asked of God.”  It’s important to remember that Hannah’s prayer was not answered only because of the vow she made, but because she came to the Lord with a sincere heart.  Hannah, no doubt, thought the greatest glory in the world was to have a child and dedicate him to God.

     As soon as Samuel was old enough, he was taken to the temple and given to the service of the Lord.  Hannah gave back to God her most cherished possession.  She knew that total surrender to God would bring joy and peace.

    What I love about Hannah was the joy and excitement that radiated from a woman who was blessed.  She loved her God, not only because He had delivered to her a child, but also she knew He was a God with power and wisdom.

   God did not forget Hannah’s sacrifice, He blessed her richly because she honored the vow she had made.  He gave her three sons and two daughters.

    Have you made a vow to God?  If so, He expects you to keep your promise.  I made a vow to God when Tim, our youngest son, was only three years old.  He was deathly ill with a kidney disease.  I promised God that if he would heal Tim, I would raise him in church.  Later, when Tim was doing fine, God reminded me of my vow.  We took him to church and he received Christ into his life at the age of 16.  Today, Tim is married with three sons and when we visit - we love attending church with them.  God honors our prayers.