LESSONS FROM HANNAHS GRIEF NEVER DESPAIR! TRUST IN GODS GRACIOUS HAND

Dear Members in Christ, 

Lessons from Hannahs grief Never despair! Trust in Gods gracious hand

Have you been in a situation where you felt desperate and helpless? At some point in life, I am sure we have all had this experience of grief and helplessness. What shall we do? How can we address the problem in relation to our walk with God? In todays meditation upon the book of 1 Samuel chapter 1, we have the example of a godly couple Hannah and Elkanah and how they conducted their spiritual walk despite a real thorn in the side which brought much grief to Hannah. The problem we know is that Hannah was barren. 

Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 1 Samuel 1:1,2

This barrenness to Hannah caused her real pain, especially when Elkanahs other wife Peninnah often taunted her, for we read that her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. (1 Samuel 1:6)

What a difficult situation this must be for the family of Elkanah. Particularly, what grief it must be for Hannah to have to come under such trying circumstances. Barrenness and infertility is a problem that exists to this day. The proliferation of fertility clinics and hospitals offering procedures for reproduction assistance tells us that there are those who wish to have children and require these services. Well, the example of this woman of faith, Hannah is a lesson for all of us, brothers and sisters.  

A. Believers are not spared the trials of life, but we must remain faithful in service to God.  

We know from the Bible and from life experiences that believers are not spared the trials of this life, and Hannah is one who underwent severe testing at this point in her life. And to add to her barrenness, she was tormented by her adversary. To fully understand her chagrin, we must have an understanding of the mindset of the Old Testament believer. The Old Testament saints view the subject of fertility and childbearing as a matter of blessing from God. Without doubt this is a promise for the believers Old Testament. God had promised them when they entered the promised land that obedience will bring them Gods blessings. 

Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Deuteronomy 28:4

Therefore, conversely, the psyche of the Old Testament believer is that anyone denied children is missing out on Gods blessings for some reason. This was not the case for Hannah and Elkanah. They were steadfast and regular worshippers of God And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. 1 Samuel 1:3a

God had commanded His people to gather and worship at appointed times, and Elkanah fulfilled his obligation and went to worship God annually. Dearly beloved this is a lesson in steadfastness and faith. This couple was not lacking in service and devotion towards God, and yet, Hannah was put under this trial of her faith. Let us remember to do our part and continue in our walk of faith. Even if we face trials, do not falter and fall away (as some do), but instead, lets continue to stand fast in our faith and service towards God, awaiting His gracious hand upon us.  

B. Believers must acknowledge that God is sovereign and trust in Him 

One might say, yes it's easy for a bystander to say, Oh, just trust in God when they are not the ones undergoing the pain and sorrow of the trial. As believers we ought to trust in Gods faithfulness. Even when the problems of life may seem threatening and insurmountable, God is always in control. The Bible tells that even Hannahs barrenness was a result of Gods gracious hand and timing. The Bible tells us that God had shut up her womb (1 Samuel 1:5 and 1 Samuel 1:6). Trials in the life of a believer are part of Gods sovereign plan, and its result is always for the glory of God and for the good of Gods child, and the account of Hannahs life shall reveal to us. 

What did Hannah do? Well, as a child of God, and despite her pain and helplessness, Hannah exercised her faith, for she finds comfort in prayer. We know that she was deep in prayer, for the Bible tells us that when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. (1 Samuel 1:7). This here is a lesson we can learn. If we face trials and testings of life, instead of fretting and in despair, let us seek Gods will by prayer and fasting. 

This is an exhortation for all of us to pray when we encounter difficulties in life. Do not give up! Do not despair! Look to God for help and grace, and wait upon Him for His mercy and grace to deliver us from our trials. May the encouragement of Gods Word strengthen us. Amen.  

In His Service,

Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor