Never Give Up!
By Susan Klein
“As she kept on praying to the Lord…”
She wasn’t drunk! Despondent, yes, but definitely not drunk. How
could she be accused of such a thing?! Had she not proven herself faithful to
her husband and to her God? Had they not faithfully worshiped and made the
right sacrifices year after year?
First, she’d had to endure the agony of not being able to
conceive. Barrenness carried a stigma in her culture. She wanted desperately to
accept God’s closing of her womb. After all, her husband loved her deeply,
regardless if she conceived or not. His love, as well as God’s, was not lost on
her. But when her husband’s second wife conceived and bore him a son, her
anguish gained new ground. The second wife provoked her to tears with
persistent mocking and ridicule over her barrenness. The emotional torment
affected her body to the point of not being able to eat.
Now she finds herself back in the Temple, quietly petitioning
God to do the impossible. Perhaps she uttered something along these lines…
Give me faith to trust what you say,
That you’re good and your love is great
I’m broken inside, I give you my life
And I may be weak but your Spirit’s strong in me
My flesh may fail, but my God, you never will [1]
In her intense grief, she still turns her heart to her Abba
Father. She even makes a vow that if God will grant her a son, she will give
him back to God in service for his whole life. Adding to her sorrow, the High
Priest sees her sitting there, perceives her silent lip movements as
drunkenness, and rebukes her. She pleads for understanding as she explains. He
sees her sincerity (and his error) and sends her off with a blessing for God to
do as she asks. She goes home. She finds peace. And her body is able to eat
even before God answers.
God has heard Hannah’s every prayer, but this is the time He
chooses to act. She eventually conceives, and bears her husband a son. God blesses
her with even more children. She keeps her vow.
Maybe, like Hannah of the Old Testament, you’ve persistently
prayed for something, waiting for God’s answer. Maybe in your own
discouragement, you’ve been tempted to give up. Don’t! God desires to hear from
us. In her darkest hours, Hannah never stopped fixing her eyes on the Giver of
Life. And in His perfect timing, He did answer. She prayed fervently, and she
prayed believing.
So must we.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Feeling like it’s futile, have you given up praying for
something or someone? Might you reconsider?
FURTHER READING:
Susan
is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible
studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of
the Peace Team at Oakwood and also co-leads a small group.
[1] “Give Me Faith,” Elevation
Worship, 2011
