Meet: Hannah
For the month of March we will discover some of the many lessons that can be learned from studying the life of Hannah.
Overview – Prayerful Perseverance
Hannah was a wife to a man named Elkanah who deeply loved her. Unfortunately she was barren and he took a second wife who was able to give him several children. This however did not diminish his love for her, but it did create opportunities for Peninnah, the second wife, to torment Hannah because of her situation.
Peninnah’s competitiveness and derision caused Hannah deep anguish, which Hannah took to God in prayer. On one occasion while at the tabernacle she was praying and pouring out her soul to God. While weeping she was speaking in her heart and her lips were moving but she was not talking. Eli the priest thought she was drunk but then she explained herself and he blessed her.
Hannah had asked God for a son and in return she vowed to dedicate the child to God for his entire life. God answered her prayers and Samuel was born. When he was weaned Hannah fulfilled her vow to God and took him to the tabernacle to become a priest.
Hannah praised God with a song because He had provided for her and had given her strength to fulfill her vow. Despite the abuses, she did not retaliate and she was blessed with more children. Her faith brought her through the trials she faced and gave her the strength to freely and fully give her child back to God.
Lessons from her life
- God hears and answers prayers.
- Our children are gifts from God.
- God is concerned for the oppressed and afflicted.
Life Application
God is always present. Hope in Him. He will never fail.
Remember
We can be confident in God’s ultimate control over events in our lives, and we should be thankful for the ways God has blessed us.