Hannah's Pain

This week we are starting a new sermon series. We’ll be taking a look at the book of First Samuel. I enjoy these kinds of books in the bible because they read more like a story rather than a sermon, lecture or some other type of instruction. We will go to unique settings, meet a variety of characters, hear words spoken and sometimes even get to read what’s thought but not spoken. There will be obstacles to overcome, climaxes and crescendos reached, victory and defeat, love and loss, basically all of the good storyline kind of stuff that we so enjoy watching or reading about.

This first week is all about a woman named Hannah. The side characters are Eli, the priest, Penninah, the other wife, Elkanah, who is Hannah’s husband, and eventually towards the end of the chapter, a miracle child named Samuel, who as you can guess, is going to become one of the main characters in this series.

The book starts with Hannah’s pain on full display. She and the rest of the family are going to the sanctuary for their yearly visit. Every year they go and every year it’s the same deal. We have no idea how long this has been going on, but year after year she is without a child. Her husband loves her dearly and tries to help her get over her pain by pointing out what she does have - his love. But it’s not enough for Hannah. The other wife, Penninah, has her own pain. Penninah has the children, but not the love of her husband. To make herself feel better, she taunts Hannah about not having children. I imagine this does little to ease Penninah’s heartbreak, but it’s definitely a common way to deal with pain. Then there is Eli, the priest. He sees Hannah in the sanctuary. Since she comes every year, I wonder if he remembers her or knows anything about her. (Probably not, since so many people come through, perhaps names and faces are hard to remember.) Regardless, when he is witness to Hannah’s deepest pain, he jumps to the conclusion that she is drunk and he even makes a public statement to her about this!

If you are human...than you know pain. I don’t think you can walk this earth without experiencing it sooner or later. Clearly, there are different degrees of pain. Pain that we know will pass or that has a reward is easier to handle than pain that we think might never end or have any reward. Just ask any woman who has given birth. Pain is involved, but most sign up willingly. On the other hand, there is pain that none of us want any part of, in fact, if we’re honest, we probably have fears that cause us great anxiety when we think about the possibilities that could happen at any moment to us or those we love.

In our church on any given Sunday, I think we would be surprised at how much pain is sitting in the pews. A few might give voice to the struggle. Some people’s pain is outwardly visible. But for many, the pain, the desperate kind of pain that Hannah is feeling in this chapter, is hidden within and is so deep, it’s hard to even put it into words.

Hannah prays with her lips moving, but no words coming out. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we have no words to pray. There exists a pain that is beyond expression. You know it. Maybe you’re in it right now.

Why in the previous years did God not answer her prayer? We have no idea. Why was He stirred to action at this precise time? It’s not because Hannah’s faith was so great. Honestly, she expresses quite a bit of doubt in her desperate prayer...some pretty major “ifs” about God. God seems to be able to look over her lack of faith.

Why is your pain still going on? Why is mine? I have no idea. What will be the precise time when God will intervene and take care of the situation? Hard to tell. Some things don’t seem to really see a miracle till the other side.

Hannah gets her miracle. Samuel arrives, she keeps her word to God by dedicating and literally giving him back to God as a young child. Chapter 2 has Hannah singing a God song of worship. Her heart is full and she has experienced God in a powerful way.

What if the miracle hadn’t come? I can’t help but wonder. Can we still sing a God song of worship even then? I don’t mean smooth over pain and deny it, or act like it doesn’t exist. What I do mean is - is Jesus enough? I think He is. I know He is. That’s the kind of thing that anchors our souls when the storms rage and pretty much needs to be decided upon before all hell breaks loose.

Let your desperate pain draw you to your knees. Talk honestly to God about it. You don’t have to conjure up anything religious. Cry...move your mouth without words coming out or whatever else you need to do to lay it down. Don’t concern yourself with those who want to make light of your pain, or those who are cruel to try to make themselves feel better. Don’t worry about judgement. People can think what they want. Just be real...lay it down and see what God will do. I think that’s the story of Hannah.

In her case...Samuel came along pretty quickly after, and even several more children! It’s hard to tell what that will look for you or me, but I do know we can trust God. He sees, He cares, and He is acting on our behalf...all the time.

Much love,

Ruth