Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Hannah Finds Peace
(I Samuel 1:17-19)
Hannah’s prayer resulted in her peace. Her accuser, Eli, was satisfied that she had behaved passionately in prayer, not in drunkenness. In fact, he blessed her with both peace and the prayer that God would indeed grant her petition (17). Because of her fervent prayer, she found a friend in the man of God.
Hannah also made peace with herself. We’re told that she went back to eating and that she was “no more sad” (18). Having left her burden with the Lord, she was able to resume an emotionally balanced life (Ps. 55:22). She had learned the great lesson of prayer dependence upon God. The change was not in her circumstances—she was still barren. The change was in her attitude, an attitude altered by prayer.
In addition, Hannah made peace with the Lord. Doubtless she had expressed to Him her disappointment over her barren condition. Childless mothers typically attributed their condition to an act of God, so it wouldn’t be surprising if she had accused God—perhaps even lamenting the supposed injustice of her situation. After committing the matter to God in prayer, Hannah was again able to worship, submitting to God’s plan and will (19).
Lastly, Hannah made peace with her husband. Though he loved her, Hannah felt inadequate and perhaps doubted the sincerity of his overtures. All of that changed when she gave her burden to the Lord. Once again she enjoyed the physical attention of her husband, basking in the peace she had found in prayer. And, best of all, “the Lord remembered her” (19)!
