~Old Testament Scenarios~
1 Samuel
"Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord."
1 Samuel 1:10 (NLT)
"Unreachable Places? Not for the Lord"
What was troubling Hannah in such a soul crushing anguish, that she would cry out in the severe manner she was displaying? Was it the heaviness of disappointment, divided harmony in the home, or bitterness of being barren? Bent over with tears flowing from a deep pool of utter need, Hannah silently begged the Lord to answer her ceaseless request for a child.
Hannah was daily taunted not only by her husband’s other wife, Peninnah (we won’t even go there!!), with her ability for producing many heirs for their husband Elkanah, but also she was taunted by her own inadequacy of childbearing. This deep-seated ache left her feeling comfortless and though her husband’s words were meant to be a healing balm, they fell short in doing so.
Hannah wept bitterly. Have you experienced this kind of ache that seems to come from a deep unreachable place (even by God Himself)? In private, where no eyes can look upon you, do you weep bitterly over your own shattered dream? Have you thought God has forgotten your request, your prayer, and your cry? I have. I have also been comforted by God’s Holy Spirit. He has softly come and made my own place of ache a sweet spot where we have shared great intimacy. He is there for you also.
Although Peninnah plagued Hannah with her treacherous words, Hannah continued to take her grief to the Lord. She called upon the name of the Lord of Hosts, “the One who commands the Armies of Heaven”, because she felt attacked. Year after year the Lord made Hannah wait for an answer. And yet, she did not turn away in hardness from the Lord and kept going to the temple with her prayers. She continued to beg God for a son and even promised to surrender that future child to a lifelong dedication to serve in the temple as a Nazarene. Hannah was given a son and she named him Samuel, “Name of God”, and he served with the priest Eli until his death. Then Samuel became the prophet and priest who anointed David as King.
I wonder if Hannah remembered how the Lord passed by Moses on the mountain and gave Moses the comforting words that He, the Lord, was merciful, gracious, patient, and abundantly good and true (Exodus 34). When we are disillusioned, that is exactly what we should be remembering!
In God’s providence, is He making you wait for an answer? Have you turned a cold ear, turned your back, been turned off by Him? He has your answer. It may not be “the one” you have been begging for, but it will be the answer He feels is best for you and ultimately for His Kingdom. In faith, will you believe that your deep place is reachable for Him to fill and that He will give you the grace to accept your new dream and even learn to love it? God sees your desire, your tears, and He cares, but He also knows what is best. I believe in Hannah’s heart she cried out to ABBA (Hebrew for Father) and I believe she had a personal relationship with great tenderness for her Lord. Her example invites each of us to come with our sorrow, our needs, and our desire to express them truthfully to our Father in Heaven.
This is your day, what will you do with it? Will you offer up your brokenness unto the Lord and allow Him to reveal Himself in His entire splendor? Do this in order that your eyes and desires will be truly fixed on what His will is for your life. Faith pleases the Lord.
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Hebrews 10:19-25 (NIV)