What Did Hannah Get?

Do you remember the story of Hannah in 1st Samuel? She was one of two wives of a guy named Elkanah. She couldn't have kids and that really grieved her. She so much wanted to have kids that even Elkanah got a little upset with her prayers to God saying "Am I not more to you than ten sons?" (1 Samuel 1:8)

She prayed so hard about it than Eli, the priest, thought she was a drunk mumbling. But God answered her prayer and she had a son: Samuel. Oddly, though, the thing she wanted so much she didn't get to keep. She had told the Lord that if He would give her a son that she would "give him to the Lord all the days of his life." (11).

God gave her what she wanted more than anything but she didn't get to keep it. So what did she get out of the deal?

At first blush it seems like she didn't get anything. But if you read her prayer as she leaves Samuel off at the Tabernacle you get a little clue. Her prayer here is not silent or mistaken for drunkenness. Instead it clearly states that God is holy, God is sovereign, and God is in charge of protecting the "faithful" and cutting off and breaking the wicked. He will do this through "his king" and "his anointed."

Hannah was prompted to pray for something she got no direct benefit from. The benefit was her part in God's overall grand plan for good.

Perhaps you feel burdened to pray. Perhaps your heart yearns for something and yet you hesitate knowing that God might do something but you won't see any benefit from it.

Is it enough to see God move for something He wants? Ask Hannah. She birthed the man who chose the king who led to a Savior. What's your prayer? What's your part?

Pastor Tom