Hannah was taunted by Peninnah. Perhaps you have been in a situation where others taunted you, talked down to you, or just made you feel that you didn’t measure up. We know that this verbal and emotional abuse took its toil on Hannah and grieved her deeply. She couldn’t eat or find pleasure in what others found pleasure in. Not even her husband’s words of love and acceptance could comfort her. But, Hannah did not retaliate or even try to turn her husband against Peninnah. Instead, she brought all of her hurt, pain and shame to the Lord.
In the New Testament, we are told that we will endure hard things. We will have enemies. Not everyone will be kind to us or care about our feelings. In fact, we may have to endure persecution, rejection, and unfair treatment. We are also not promised an easy, carefree life. We may have to endure hardship, loss, grief, sad circumstances. Our hearts may long for things such as being a mother, finding a spouse, securing a good job and perhaps those who have such things will be judgmental toward our lack. This is a common occurrence and it is a comfort to know that when others may not care or be able to comfort us, there is One who can.
Sometimes God uses other people to drive us to seek Him in prayer and petition. Hannah laid her distress at the feet of God. What a privilege to be able to appeal to the God of the Universe and know that He hears and He cares. God knew her heart was faithful to trust in Him just as He knew the intentions of Peninnah’s heart to be cruel and self centered. Hannah made God her Rock. That is why she left His presence with an uplifted countenance. She found comfort in knowing He was in control and He cared.
“Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.” 1 Samuel 2:1-3
Hannah knew that life may not be fair, but God was the One who would judge the intentions of man’s heart. She left the outcomes in His care.
I think the most important thing in Hannah’s prayer that caught my attention was her focus on the future promises of God. She lived in a time when the Israelites were looking forward to the Messiah coming. Her joy went beyond having God grant her a son in the here and now but she trusted Him for a future where the faithful would be the overcomers. Perhaps that is why she could so graciously give that son to God’s service. She recognized the importance of serving God with what he has blessed us with in this life and to ultimately focus on the blessings promised us in our eternal future.
“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness. “It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”” 1 Samuel 2:8-10
God wants us to bring our concerns and petitions directly to Him. He doesn’t want us to retaliate or become bitter when we are treated unfairly or when life deals out hard circumstances. He wants us to find our strength to deal with the things that weigh us down by bringing our sorrows to Him.
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalms 55:22
A key component to being encouraged in the Lord is to have a more eternal focus. We have to remember that we live in a fallen world but God is still in control of the outcomes and He is always observing how we respond to our circumstances. Our faithfulness in this life to trust Him with even our troubles and heartaches will be honored. Perhaps He will grant our petitions in this life. Perhaps He will ask us to wait for our eternal reward. But either way, We can be comforted to know that He weighs the hearts and intentions of every man. A day will come when the faithful will be rewarded and evildoers will prevail no more. Be encouraged in His unfailing love for you.
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalms 34:15-18