Pain and Praise – A Lesson from Hannah

Our pastor began a new sermon series this past Sunday. The series is Triumphs and Failures. We’ve all had those. This week Pastor Justin focused on Pain and Praise. In doing so, he retold the story of Hannah.

You remember her. She was the wife of Elkanah. But so was Peninnah. Peninnah had children but Hannah did not. Sadly, Peninnah taunted Hannah daily about her inability to conceive. Justin points out here that the Bible never condones having multiple wives. In fact, from the beginning it was stated that marriage was to be between one man and one woman.

Elkanah gave sacrifices yearly to the Lord. He gave to Peninnah and her sons, portions, but to Hannah, whom we are told he loved, he gave a double portion. Now, Pastor is often quite funny in relating these stories to us. Justin compared that to giving Peninnah and her sons one scoop of mashed potatoes, but giving two scoops to Hannah. You can imagine this wouldn’t go over well for any of those involved.

HANNAH’S PAIN

Hannah was in pain over not being able to have children. Elkanah couldn’t understand this even though he knew that for a woman of the time, not having children lessened Hannah’s value in the eyes of her neighbors. She grieved her circumstances. Elkanah even asked her, Am I not better to you than ten sons?(1 Samuel 1:8 ESV).

Pain and Praise - A Lesson from Hannah @DDuPreeWilliams #faith #Prayer #MourningTurnstoJoy Share on X

PAIN THAT LEADS TO PRAYER

Hannah did what she knew was the right thing. She took her pain to the Temple and prayed, weeping as she did so. Hannah knew no one else could help her, and she trusted God to hear her prayers. She trusted Him with the answer as she vowed any son she had would serve God all his days. This promise is known as a Nazarite vow, binding her son to serve God all his days. She made this promise even though it meant she would see her son only once a year, and that she would get no help from her son in her old age. That is how very deeply she desired to have a child. A son.

PRAYER THAT LEADS TO PRAISE

Hannah was given a son whom she named Samuel. True to the promise she’d made to God, when he was weaned, she took Samuel to the Temple and gave him up to serve God.

At this point, Hannah’s tears turn to joy as she praises God for answering her prayer for a son. Her prayer, 1 Samuel 1:1-10, is a foreshadowing of the prayer prayed by Mary, The Magnificat, in Luke 1:46-55.

God brings praise out of our pain. He repurposed Hannah’s pain for His glory.

Are you struggling with a painful situation? Let Hannah’s story encourage you. Take that pain to God. Lay it at the foot of the cross and ask Him to carry that burden for you. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow (Jeremiah 31:13 ESV).

Blessings, y’all!

I remember hearing him sing this when I was just a girl! One of the all-time greats!