God Is About To Remember You
Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the LORD's house. In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, "LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life . . . "
As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, "How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine."
"Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. . . . I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."
Eli answered, "Go in peace and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him." . . . Then she went away and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.
Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him." I Samuel 1:9-20
As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, "How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine."
"Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. . . . I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."
Eli answered, "Go in peace and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him." . . . Then she went away and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.
Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him." I Samuel 1:9-20
Hannah's story is one of great inspiration. She endured much pain and ridicule because of her situation. Her husband was impatient with her saying, "Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?" Even her Pastor scolded her for being drunk when she was pouring out her pain and grief to the LORD. What a powerful example of a passionate plea before the throne!
Two things are worth reflecting over when we find ourselves in dire straits like Hannah:
First, no one will ever understand us as God does. In the midst of our deep pain, the closest people to us might never understand the depth of our grief. Hannah's husband loved her but he was impatient and did not understand why Hannah would not eat. Even Hannah's Pastor thought she was drunk and rebuked her! Of course, others like Peninnah simply ridiculed her.
Second, there are times when no one can do anything to help us, no matter how much they love us. No human being can give you a child. No human being can heal your body when the doctors give up on you. No human being can give you a spouse when you have waited for so long.
But: There is someone who understands you when no one else can, and there is someone who can do something about your situation. That Someone is God! That is what Hannah experienced.
She poured out her grief to God. When her Pastor saw her passionate plea to God, he came alongside her in support and her countenance changed. God remembered her and answered her prayer.
May your countenance change because you have petitioned God. God will remember you.
Two things are worth reflecting over when we find ourselves in dire straits like Hannah:
First, no one will ever understand us as God does. In the midst of our deep pain, the closest people to us might never understand the depth of our grief. Hannah's husband loved her but he was impatient and did not understand why Hannah would not eat. Even Hannah's Pastor thought she was drunk and rebuked her! Of course, others like Peninnah simply ridiculed her.
Second, there are times when no one can do anything to help us, no matter how much they love us. No human being can give you a child. No human being can heal your body when the doctors give up on you. No human being can give you a spouse when you have waited for so long.
But: There is someone who understands you when no one else can, and there is someone who can do something about your situation. That Someone is God! That is what Hannah experienced.
She poured out her grief to God. When her Pastor saw her passionate plea to God, he came alongside her in support and her countenance changed. God remembered her and answered her prayer.
May your countenance change because you have petitioned God. God will remember you.
Prayer: Lord, I have poured out my pain to you. I am confident that you will remember me.