A Thorn, A Pause, A Pearl!

Scripture:  I Samuel 2:1 -  And Hannah prayed, and said 'My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

Before her testimony, there was the test, the experiencing of life's thorn that God allowed, by which her sense of significance, and perhaps even security was being challenged. Life was throwing her lemons, with no lemonade in sight, as her hope for having a child was not being realized, and furthermore aggravating things, was the presence of another wife within the house, who was given to spite and further was blessed of God to be fruitful with children through their  shared husband Elkanah.

The thorn went by the name of Peninnah, the other wife.

Even though the husband showed his love for Hannah, often favoring her with more, the situation was strained, and probably worsened for the uneven attention of the husband to them both.

One can imagine Peninnah having her teeth on edge seeing her husband favor Hannah, and one can imagine Hannah's melancholy to see her husband mentoring the children he shared with Peninnah, and the attention she would have had with each successive nine months of pregnancy, nursing, and child-rearing that she yearned for, observing the children grow and play, looking like her husband and the other woman, hearing the sounds of them, absent her own.

And with this distress Hannah began to dwindle, to not thrive, despite the encouragement of her husband -- until God became center stage.

Up to this point, the act of worship is only ascribed to Elkanah [...this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts...1 Samuel 1:3]

But then she had pause to get up, and do different, and from there erupted with prayer and supplication, as if she was snatched up:

"And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore." 1 Samuel 1:10

She was so immersed in prayer as to be thought of as drunk, such that the priest had to address her, but she was not drunk, she was ecstatic! At some level, the priest, Eli, realized this, and his blessing joined her prayerfulness. Then she blessed him.

Subsequently worship happened, Peninnah disappeared from the report, and ... "Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her." 1 Samuel 1:19

Then Hannah conceived! The child, Samuel, was born, 'because I have asked him of the LORD'.

He became a powerful voice for God, from youth to seniority...in light of his mothers vow, all for grace.

Life can offer us curious turns and twists, but the case that Hannah's life makes, is that PRAYER WORKS, even as God's sovereignty feels contrary to our desires. Sometimes the lemons are loud, but His will be done. Wait on the lemonade.

Mothers, and all those that have had mothers, wait on the Lord and be of good courage. Love never fails.

Be blessed! Happy Mother's Day month, one and all.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, whose name is so precious, lift up my soul to pray, and raise my heart to rejoice in You and in Your salvation. I can drift, and I can be distracted, but help me with my seeking, my Mercy and my Grace. I bless You now, with my whole heart Jesus. You have been so good! You alone are worthy! Great is Your faithfulness! Amen.

(By Dr. McNeal Brockington)