The Remarkable Faith of Hannah

By: Pastor Steve Pierce

Let me introduce you to a woman who has every reason to be angry. She is married and sadly unable to have children. She is made fun of by others in her family, she is publicly mocked and questioned, she is broken and in terrible pain. All she wants is to have a child and that is just not happening while all around her others are having babies. She is angry and hurt. It would be easy for her to question her faith and to blame the Lord for her issues. After all, doesn’t she deserve to be a mom? It just isn’t fair.

But instead, this woman, tearfully continues to hold her faith in the Lord. She does not blame God. She continues to honor Him by praying to Him and seeking His favor. She does not give up. In fact, she begs God for a child and then even offers to give this child back to the Lord if He will grant her this one wish. She wants a son.

Meet Hannah who you can read about in 1 Samuel. Chapter 2, starts with Hannah’s prayer, a thankful and powerful prayer. It’s important to know the context of this prayer. Really important. Chapter 1 ends with Hannah doing something that few others would ever be able to do. She handed her new baby son, Samuel, over to Eli, the Lord’s priest. The Lord had allowed Hannah to have a child, and she did what she promised, lending Samuel to the Lord for his whole life. Can you imagine how hard that was for Hannah and Elkanah, the father. All Hannah wanted was this little baby who she is holding and now giving to someone else. Its not fair.

That is how strong her faith is. Her love for the Lord and for Samuel was stronger than her own desires. Read Hannah’s prayer now in chapter 2.

“And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord, my mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. “There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God…” (1 Sam 2: 1-10, ESV)

God answers prayer. Sometimes in ways we want but always in ways we need. Even Jesus asked the Lord to remove his coming death on a cross. But his faith in the Lord, allowed him to do what needed to be done, even if his body was going to suffer. He trusted God. Thank you Jesus.

Hold onto your faith, not in the idea of the Lord, but in His goodness, His holiness, His love and know God is alive. He is real and can be trusted. He is aware of you and what you are going through. He knows and he is with you. You are not alone. Never alone.