Hannah desperately wanted a child of her own. Year after year she pined for a son. One year, as she and her husband went to make their yearly sacrifices, she went in to the temple and began pouring out her heart to God. She made a vow to God telling him if he looked upon her misery and would remember her, and give her a son, she would give her son back to God for all the days of his life.
Upon returning to their home, Hannah soon became pregnant and bore a son. She named her son Samuel, because she asked the Lord for him. True to her vow to God, once Samuel was weaned, Hannah brought him to Eli the priest and dedicated him back to God.
This story clutches my heart and won’t let go. What Hannah wanted most was a child. So much so she was willing to let him go. It is speculated that Samuel was around three years old, the age most Hebrew women stopped nursing their children. Take the strings of my heart and tie them in a knot!
Rather than bemoan her situation, what did Hannah do? She sang a song of thanksgiving.
Then Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the LORD;
My horn is exalted in the LORD,
My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.“There is no one holy like the LORD,
Indeed, there is no one besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.“Boast no more so very proudly,
Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For the LORD is a God of knowledge,
And with Him actions are weighed.“The bows of the mighty are shattered,
But the feeble gird on strength.“Those who were full hire themselves out for bread,
But those who were hungry cease to hunger.
Even the barren gives birth to seven,
But she who has many children languishes.“The LORD kills and makes alive;
He brings down to Sheol and raises up.“The LORD makes poor and rich;
He brings low, He also exalts.“He raises the poor from the dust,
He lifts the needy from the ash heap
To make them sit with nobles,
And inherit a seat of honor;
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S,
And He set the world on them.“He keeps the feet of His godly ones,
But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness;
For not by might shall a man prevail.“Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered;
Against them He will thunder in the heavens,
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;
And He will give strength to His king,
And will exalt the horn of His anointed.”1Samuel 2:1-10
When I ponder how to apply this to my life, what stands out to me is not only Hannah’s alignment with God’s heart but her mouth spoke boldly against her enemies (v. 1b). Hannah displayed steadfast perseverance during a time of deep struggle. (Hannah was bullied and taunted by another woman because she was childless).
Hannah relied on her faith. She exalted and revered God. She worshipped and praised God. Hannah trusted God. I believe from this perspective-from this position, we will always win against our enemies. Why? Because, like Hannah, we can choose to allow God to fight for us.
We need only stand still.
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