THERE IS A HANNAH IN ALL OF US! (PART 2)

THERE IS A HANNAH IN ALL OF US!

THE DESPERATE AND BITTER HANNAH

Hannah’s life was hard, very hard. She had tried so hard to be the wife who pleases her husband by giving him not one, but many children. This whole situation tore her to pieces.

She was bitter.

She was desperate.

“This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.” 1 Samuel 1:7 (NIV)

“In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.” 1 Samuel 1:10 (NIV)

I can only imagine how Hannah felt every time they made the yearly trip to Shiloh. Year after year she had probably made the same prayer, “Lord, grant me a child,” but He had not answered her. The constant reminder that God had not granted her wish stabbed at her heart day after day, month after month, and year after year.

Waiting is painful. We become desperate, especially when we feel like time is running out. We become angry and bitter with God. We feel like He doesn’t care about us and that our needs are not important to Him. We feel lost and abandoned.

What did Hannah do when she got to that point?

She kept praying.

“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.” 1 Samuel 1:15 (NIV)

We all know how her story ended. The Lord granted her desire after many years of waiting. But it took persistence and faith in the Lord. Hannah knew she had nobody else to turn to but God. She knew that her hope lay in Him. She knew He was the only one who could answer her prayer.

Are you in a desperate place where you are starting to get bitter with God? You are in good company. I have been there, many times. I have cried out to Him and openly told Him that if He does not answer me there is nobody else I can turn to. But guess what – God is faithful. Even in those painful moments, He is there, holding you and reminding you that you are not alone.

Hold on to Jesus. Don’t give up on Him just yet, because He has not given up on you!