Hannah was barren.

She wasn’t our first heart-broken sister nor was she our last. Women of faith caught in a motherhood and legacy trap spread across all time and cultures. We are met with defiance by the world when we don’t produce, don’t share life with offspring, and leave our families and husbands disappointed.

Depression may have seeped into Hannah’s internal being. Sarah, Elizabeth and the like probably found themselves in the darkest parts of their souls weeping for the babe in arms that was just out of reach.

In the darkness is where we find Hannah. She is there, praying desperately, giving worship and being accused of drunkenness instead of communion with the Lord.

This is where we meet our sisters. In the dark corner. In our trials, in our longings, in our sorrows and in our despairs, we gather together with these women and glean something that they could have turned away from ever so easily: hope.

Hannah poured out herself to the Lord. She prayed fervently despite the hopelessness she lived in. In her desperation, she called upon the Lord, “Remember me.”

1 Samuel 1:11 NIV

And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

Hannah was bold when she called for the Lord to take action on her behalf. Her angst didn’t drive her away but into the arms of the Lord.

Remember me…

Faithfulness went full circle. The Lord showed His mercy upon our sister and granted her a son whom she dedicated to Him.

And as her faith flourished, so did her family. The Lord gave her sons and daughters as He grew Samuel into His servant. Her gratitude shines through as her praises raise high.

1 Samuel 2:1-10

Then Hannah prayed and said:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
    in the Lord my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
    for I delight in your deliverance.

“There is no one holy like the Lord;
    there is no one besides you;
    there is no Rock like our God.

 there is no Rock like our God

“Do not keep talking so proudly
    or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the Lord is a God who knows,
    and by him deeds are weighed.

“The bows of the warriors are broken,
    but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
    but those who were hungry are hungry no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children,
    but she who has had many sons pines away.

“The Lord brings death and makes alive;
    he brings down to the grave and raises up.
The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
    he humbles and he exalts.
He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
    and has them inherit a throne of honor.

“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;
    on them he has set the world.
He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,
    but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.

“It is not by strength that one prevails;
those who oppose the Lord will be broken.
The Most High will thunder from heaven;
    the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.

“He will give strength to his king
    and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

The Lord delivers us from disgrace. He holds us up and gives us strength and stability. He guards the feet of those who are faithful to Him.

When we are in the darkness, we can easily hide away or give up. Sometimes it seems so much easier to just fall in step with the world then to fight against the grain.  We are not made to live that way. Set apart, we are to seek His face, His will and to glorify Him in the process no matter how fierce the things we fight against are.

Follow Hannah and our sisters and let them be an encouragement to all along the path of faith. Don’t give up. Earnestly seek the Lord in all things.