Day 5: Psalm 147:11
“But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.”
This evening, I was listening to a sermon on the story of Hannah, which highlighted how difficult her situation was. She was Elkanah’s first wife, but sadly she was unable to bear him any children, so he took a second wife. This lady treated Hannah like dirt, provoking her to the point that she wept bitterly and would not eat.
That was not all. When Elkanah found her crying, he seemed to ask the wrong questions. “Why are you weeping? Why are you not eating?” He then made a statement that might have made most women fall to their knees: “Am I not worth more to you than ten sons?” To Hannah, however, it was a painful reminder of her barrenness.
There is another detail worth noting: the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb. This meant that no matter what they tried, unless the Lord opened her womb, she would never have a child.
So she went to the Lord in tears. She poured out her soul to him, asking Him to remember her and give her a son. She chose to place her hope in the Lord, because He alone could sort out her situation.
We all know how the story ends—she had a son! Her shame was wiped away by this act of love from the Lord towards her. But first, she had to call on Him as an act of faith.
This got me thinking. Am I ready to hope in God’s steadfast love, or do I feel that I am better off placing my hope elsewhere? Am I ready to be like Hannah, who laid everything bare before God, knowing that only He could answer her prayer?
Reflection
It takes faith to surrender everything to a God you have never seen. It takes even greater faith to hope in a God who may not work things out the way you want. Yet one truth remains: the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him and place their hope in His steadfast love.
Prayer
Lord, I know You love me, and all that You have planned for me is for my good. I know You desire that I place my hope in You and trust You completely. Help me to remember that Your love never fails, and that this alone is reason enough to hope in You. Amen.