The Source of Bravery

Hello Bride of Christ,

Do you ever feel overlooked? Overlooked by family. Overlooked by employers. Overlooked by friends. Overlooked by God. Feelings are interesting because although they are not always rooted in truth, if processed with God they can lead us closer to our Creator than we thought possible! 

Hannah, an old testament legend. Often remembered for her brave wager with God. She basically said to God, "Give me a son and I will give him back to you, and he will have no hair cuts". What fueled Hannah's bravery? Did Hannah think she was being brave when she uttered this memorable prayer? 

1 Samuel 1 gives insight to Hannah's source of bravery. 1 Samuel 1:5 reads, "But to Hannah he (Elkanah) would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb." Hannah, unlike Elkanah's other wife, was not able to have children. She had been barren for many years (1 Samuel 1:7). This bareness was Hannah's lack. All the extra attention and love from her husband (1 Samuel 1:8) did not fill the lack of a child Hannah was battling. Culturally having children was the main calling of a women in those days. Hannah's inability year after year had worn on her. Feeling overlooked. Feeling not good enough. We are told Hannah arose and in bitterness of soul she prayed to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:10). Bitterness of soul. It was her lack and bitterness of soul that sourced her bravery. It was these negative, not so good feelings, that caused Hannah to draw near to her God and call out to Him. 

She prayed, "O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget your maidservant , but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head." (1 Samuel 1:11)

Bride of Christ, let your feelings of being overlooked or lack draw you closer to your God. Take note how Hannah was secure in her relationship with God, for she declared to be His maidservant. Although she felt overlooked and lacking, she did not question her relationship with her God. Instead she called God to remember. Remember her and their special relationship. She was His maidservant. She belonged to Him. She was not trying to be brave. She was speaking to God about the one things she was sure of, who she was to Him. This prayer spoken in her heart (1 Samuel 1:13) was heard by the living God, for if we keep reading we are told the next day "they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her." (1 Samuel 1:19) The Lord remembered Hannah! The Lord who is the same yesterday, today, and forever will also remember you. Ask Him today to remember you. Then as our sister Hannah, wake up and worship the Lord before He answers you because once He responds, your heart will rejoice in the Lord and nothing else. (1 Samuel 2:1)