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“Faith is not limited to possibilities.”

Dr. Jonathan Barker

“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.”

• 1 Samuel 1:10

Every year Hannah traveled to Shiloh with her husband and Peninnah and her children. Hannah’s heart must have grown weary as they journeyed, continuously hearing Peninnah’s snide remarks about her childless condition. The dread that came over her each year, knowing how Peninnah would mock her and question her faith. Was this God she served truly capable? No doubt Peninnah tried to plant seeds of doubt in Hannah’s mind, whispers of being forgotten, unheard. Afterall, it was no secret that Hannah desired a child. Surely the Lord knew.

Of course, He knew.

Shiloh means a place of peace, yet this place seemed far from peaceful for Hannah. It was a place of pain, a place where she was constantly reminded that her prayer had not yet been answered.

But through the pain, Hannah prayed. She begged the Lord for a son of whom she vowed to dedicate back to Him. And by the end of the story, “the LORD remembered her.”

Hannah’s State

In 1 Samuel 1:10, we see the state in which Hannah approaches her prayer. The verse says, “she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.” How heavy the strain on her heart must have been, her eyes burning from her weeping, her body caving under the weight of her burden. According to the Webster’s 1828 dictionary, to be in “bitterness of soul” is to experience “keen sorrow, painful affliction, vexation, and deep distress of mind.”

She has reached a place where all she can do is weep. No words. Only her heart uttering her petition unto the Lord. She is in such distress that Eli, the priest, assumes her to be drunk, inquiring of her questionable state.

In this moment, Hannah could have gotten embarrassed and fled (how easy it is to hide our burdens when others assume without understanding). But instead, Hannah explains her burden to Eli. She expresses that she is of “a sorrowful spirit” and how she has “poured out [her] soul before the LORD.”

How much better would we be if we poured out our bitterness, hurt, and anger before the Lord, emptying ourselves so that He can fill us with His joy?

Hannah’s Solace       

Eli bids her, “Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.” Hannah now has a choice: she can continue sobbing, continuing in her sorrow, hoping for an answer, or she can take the words of Eli (God’s mouthpiece) by faith and believe that the Lord will answer her petition. She does the latter. In the latter part of verse 18 it says, “So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.” The next verse goes on to say that they worshipped the Lord.

Her countenance and her worship both changed before her prayer was answered. Hannah finally found peace at Shiloh, believing that God would answer. And as Hannah trusted God for a son, “the LORD remembered her.” In the next chapter, we find Hannah rejoicing and praising the Lord for answering her prayer.

Hannah’s Story in Our Lives

I recently heard a pastor say, “A lot of times we have faith that God can do it for others, but lack the faith that He can do it for us.” How true this statement rang in my heart. How often do we pray, begging God for an answer, beseeching Him for our requests, but then live defeated as though our prayers went no further than the altar on which we laid them? We see God work in others lives and answer their prayers, wondering when it will be our turn. When will He remember us?

Just as Hannah prayed, “remember me,” it is easy to find ourselves wondering if God has somehow forgotten us as we pray and pray for the same request yet seem to receive no answer.

How often do we find ourselves in a state where our souls become bitter; not from another’s offense, but from our petitions not being answered as quickly as we desperately desire them to be. It is not until we pray in faith, believing that God is able—not just mentally acknowledging what we have been taught about God, but truly trusting—that He will answer according to His will. What was impossible for Hannah was possible for God.

When our impossibilities surpass our capabilities, it is to the Father we cling.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

• 2 Corinthians 12:9

In our weakest moments, when we have prayed as Hannah with a sorrowful spirit, when our situation seems hopeless, the Lord is then able to show us His mighty hand through His tender mercies. This way, He receives all the glory. Those around us see Him. Our weakness becomes a witness when the Master’s strength is made perfect.

Let us follow in Hannah’s example of faith, remembering that God is able, working in ways we cannot always see.