10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.
Proverbs 31:10-11
There are many things to be thankful for in this life, but for us men, we really need to praise God for women. When God determined that it was not good for us to be alone, He created women knowing exactly what we need and He shared the love that lasts to enjoy with them. God involved women in some pretty important events. Jesus first revealed that He was Messiah to the Samaritan women, after rising from the dead, Jesus first appeared to women and when God directed Paul to take the gospel to Europe, the first convert, Lidia, was a women. There are other great examples such as Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, Ruth, and Esther to name a few. These are some pretty amazing women in the Bible, but when you think about a godly example of what a wife should look like, I always think of Hannah first! We pick up Hannah’s story in chapter one of 1 Samuel.
We start out by seeing the providence of God in that the Lord had closed the womb of Hannah (1Samuel 1:5), very similar to closing the womb of Sarah (Genesis 16:2) and Rachel (Genesis 30:2). Hannah was taunted by Penninah, the other wife of her husband Elkanah. Hannah was a great woman of faith. The scripture says that she went to the House of the Lord year after year though being provoked to tears. In sadness with loss of appetite, she persevered and was faithful (v.7). Hannah also demonstrates prayer for us. She prayed honestly to the Lord, weeping bitterly with tears, making a vow to the Lord if He will look on her affliction and give her a son, she would commit her child to the Lord (v.10-11). She was diligent in prayer, speaking with her heart to God, pouring out her soul to the Lord (v.12-15). This is how God wants us to come to Him, as His adopted children and cry out Abba Father (Romans 8:15).
As Hannah poured out her heart to the Lord, with complete faith in God, she was no longer sad (v.18). God gave her peace in her circumstances and her sadness lifted because had shifted her focus to God. When Hannah was sad, she was focused on being childless, but scripture says she was faithful, consistent in worship, consistent in prayer and rose early in the morning to worship the Lord (v.19). Like Sarah gave birth to Isaac and Rachel would eventually give birth to Joseph, Hannah would eventually give birth to Samuel. All of these are examples of the providence of God and the Lord moving in perfect timing though they all became impatient. Abraham was 100 years old when Sarah gave birth to Isaac. Prior to this, Sarah laughed at the idea she would be a mom in her old age. Jacob waited 14 years to marry Rachel, then she was unable to conceive. Rachel grew jealous of her sister Leah being able to have children, but would eventually conceive and give birth to Joseph. Now Hannah had to wait year after year according to the scriptures, but in time would give birth to Samuel the prophet. Hannah would then follow through on her vow to commit the child to the Lord, confirming that she had a son because she asked for a son from God (v. 22-28). Hannah would then give us the Prayer of Thanksgiving in 1 Samuel 2. As we read the Song below, remember that Hannah was consistent in worship and prayer in her circumstances, despite her adversaries, and was patient, never doubting that the Lord would answer her:
Hannah’s Song of Thanksgiving
2 Then Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord;
My horn is exalted in the Lord,
My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
2 “There is no one holy like the Lord,
Indeed, there is no one besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.
3 “Boast no more so very proudly,
Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For the Lord is a God of knowledge,
And with Him actions are weighed.
4 “The bows of the mighty are shattered,
But the feeble gird on strength.
5 “Those who were full hire themselves out for bread,
But those who were hungry cease to hunger.
Even the barren gives birth to seven,
But she who has many children languishes.
6 “The Lord kills and makes alive;
He brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 “The Lord makes poor and rich;
He brings low, He also exalts.
8 “He raises the poor from the dust,
He lifts the needy from the ash heap
To make them sit with nobles,
And inherit a seat of honor;
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
And He set the world on them.
9 “He keeps the feet of His godly ones,
But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness;
For not by might shall a man prevail.
10 “Those who contend with the Lord will be shattered;
Against them He will thunder in the heavens,
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
And He will give strength to His king,
And will exalt the horn of His anointed.”
Visceral Reflections 
Leave a comment