Joel M Bradshaw

11And she vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

12As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. 13Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. 16Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

19They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.–1 Samuel 1

The great story of Samuel begins with a mother who trusted God in the midst of her hurt and disappointment.

1. Hannah constantly brought her situation before God. And she did so after her prayers being answered NO every time. I know couples who face infertility. Those monthly pregnancy tests are full of anxiety and sadness. Trusting God is hard and it doesn’t get easier when life never works out the way you plan. But it’s worth it. Your situation may not change, but as you trust God, YOU change.
2. God answered her prayer with the same Hebrew root word. She prayed that God would zkr her and God did indeed zkr her. The symmetry is not lost in the English translation. Remember me, remembered her.

God hears us and remembers us when we pray. God is faithful to provide. Not that he always answers every prayer like he did for Hannah, but he is still faithful. Continue trusting God as you go through disappointment and grief. Take your innermost feelings to God. Move forward in faith that God handles his business. The same God who remembers you so that your heart can keep beating may just indeed be ready to give you the desires of that ‘heart’. March forward in faith and trust, my friend. The God who can is the God who will remember you.–JMB