The story of Hannah and her deep desire for a child of her own is a well-known story recorded in 1 Samuel 1. The Word says that the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, and because of her inability to have a child, Peninnah, described as her rival, would provoke her and irritate her. This went on year after year, especially at the time when they went up to the house of the Lord. It would so upset her that she would weep and not eat. We read that Hannah had a deep anguish, and she wept bitterly while praying to the Lord. She reflected such anguish that Eli thought that she was drunk, as her lips were moving in prayer, but with a voice that was not heard.

We have all experienced seasons when our dreams are barren and where the stirrings of our heart lie unfulfilled. We can identify with Hannah, who was provoked, irritated, deeply troubled, and with great anguish and grief. We can identify as people who are crying out, while feeling as though our voices are not heard. Sometimes we experience these things in the very place where we have committed our lives to worshipping our God.

Hannah had poured out her soul to the Lord and had made a vow and a declaration over her life. Eli had also come alongside her in agreement for answered prayer, and in due time, the Lord blessed her with Samuel. 1 Samuel 1:19 says, ‘the Lord remembered her’.

God had not forgotten Hannah, nor did He need to be reminded of her. What this means is that God intervened, and He responded. There was a tangible response in the natural to Hannah’s heart’s cry.

Imagine how cherished that baby was right from when Hannah discovered she was pregnant. She would have spent her pregnancy, and the time until he was weaned and returned to the temple, declaring her vow and his destiny over him. She would have cherished him.

Samuel grew up to become a great prophet and leader for Israel. He was the last in the line of judges and considered by many to be the greatest. He also anointed the first two kings of Israel, namely Saul and David. His life was crucial in Israel’s history.

I have always focused first on Hannah and her anguish as she cried out to God to answer a deep longing. What if we considered it differently, though – that God needed a Samuel to influence the history of Israel, so He allowed the right circumstances to create a longing in Hannah for the Samuel He needed.

Let us be encouraged, when we experience seasons when our dreams are barren and where the stirrings of our heart lie unfulfilled. When we are provoked, irritated, or deeply troubled, we experience great anguish and grief. When we cry out and feel as though our voices are not heard. Let us ask God for His perspective on the situation. Declare His promises. Let us ask God to reveal the Samuels that are within us, waiting to be birthed and weaned, in our lives, our classrooms, our schools and our spheres of influence.