Scripture reading 1 Samuel 1 – 28.
Brief summary
From this scripture we read that Elkanah had two wives: Peninnah who had children and Hannah who had none. I would like to think that Elkanah married Hannah first, but because she had no children he married Peninnah who gave him many children. This was very hard for Hanna because she didn’t choose not to have children and since the other wife made it a point that she reminds Hanna of her barrenness with every chance she got. In case of Hanna, her identity was probably tied up with having no children, like it is even today in most cases. Hanna was not born barren(so to say) but God closed her womb (1 Samuel 1:6) which bring us to the question
Why barrenness?
Like in Hanna’s life, most time we find ourselves in situations and we begin to ask why is this happening to me? Why? Is it my sins, my parent’s, or whatever other things you can think have led you in getting into that situation. But like it is said in 1 Samuel 1: 5 "but the Lord has shut up her womb". So Hannah wasn't barren because of her sins. As a matter of fact, Hannah and her household were dedicated to God because no year passed that they didn’t go to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. 1 Samuel 1:3. Hannah wasn't barren because she had lived recklessly in the past before she got married but the bible says the Lord had shut her womb. Her situation wasn’t to shame but to the glory of God, because it was God who did it and we know that God do things for His glory. So even for the situation we find ourselves in that we begin to have series of questions we need to remember that it is not because of our sins but for the Glory of God, so it is not going to end in shame no matter how bad it seems or looks even if we have made mistakes in the past. God will answer us for He knows why we are in that situation; we just need to trust Him. So to be in that situation doesn’t mean that you did something wrong or something is wrong with you but it is so for God to reveal his glory in you.
What do we need to do then?
In verse 9- 11 it is said that “Hannah stood up and poured her heart to God and made a vow to God”
Hanna realized that sitting there in self pity won’t help, so she stood up and took action for her situation. Often times we delay our answer by sitting in self pity, reminiscing on our problems without taking action, the bible says, “we have not, because we ask not”. The bible says that Hanna’s situation went on year after year, until Hanna stood up! What are you doing with your situation? \\
Verse 10 says in bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. So the answer lies between your knees and the floor! PUSH (Pray Until Something Happens) Hanna did that and she got her answer..
Verse 11 says that Hanna made a vow to God, like most of us, many times when we need something from God we also make certain promises, God if I get this I’ll give you that But how many of us real keep those promises?
Hanna kept her promise and gave back the son (Samuel) to God …This was not a vow taken lightly - it would cost her dearly - let's be serious when we make a vow or promise to the Lord, to see it through
Hannah couldn't take it any more - she made a decision to do something about her situation. She said; enough is enough. This was a breakthrough for Hannah -- she stood up - she rose up above her circumstances - she took a step. Only she could do it. Maybe you've been yearning for the Lord to do something new in you, yearning for something more in your Christian life - maybe you feel stale, stuck in a rut, you want to feel the excitement you once knew. Maybe it's been going on for years - you're fed up going through the motions. Maybe you're longing for him to show you visions, to prophesy, to move in words of knowledge. Maybe you want him to give you a new ministry, to shake you up, to do something dynamic in your life. Maybe you've got such a desire in you to get closer to him, to be more intimate with him, to go deeper in worship. Maybe you don't know what you want - maybe you're simply hungry and thirsty, maybe you need to experience a breakthrough today - only you can do it, stand up and PUSH.