God’s Provision in Times of Trial | 1 Samuel 1:9-11

Do you need provision from God in a present trial?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

We are in a new series on 1 Samuel and have just begun chapter one. The first chapter's theme is the six people who influenced Samuel's life: Elkanah, Peninnah, and today, Hannah.

We are jumping down to verses 9-11. Hannah has slipped away from the family while in Shiloh and is headed to the Tabernacle by herself to pray. The text reads:

After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And 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.” — 1 Samuel 1:9-11

Two things about Hannah stand out to me: her character and her commitment.

Character

First, Hannah has remarkable character. This account presents her as a humble wife, mother, and follower who is faithful from beginning to end. She is faithful through emotional distress, doubt, and mistreatment. She never gives up on what she believes God can do in her baren situation.

She is inspirational because many people would have given up on God by now. Even Sarah gave up. She laughed at God. But not Hannah. She makes another trip to the Tabernacle year after year, even though Peninnah disdains her and Eli degrades her.

Some believers are not properly prepared for this part of the spiritual journey—the long waits. We wrongly believe that the spiritual life should be easy and we should get quick answers from God. But this is not how it always works. Sometimes, it comes with long waits. In these times, what is required is faithfulness. That is how Hannah models faithfulness in a very long period of distress.

Commitment

Second, notice Hannah's commitment to God in her vow. This is a great vow, and I will show you why. But first, let's make sure we understand what a vow is.

In the Old Testament, a vow was a solemn promise made to God. It was made on three occasions: in response to a blessing received by God, in a desperate situation calling on God, or in an act of devotion to God. When we think about vows today, we typically think about marital vows, which don't have the same weight they used to because we have subtracted God from them. Vows were made to God. They were taken very seriously and permanently binding as a vow to God should be. When God makes a vow to man, he makes good on it, and when we make a vow to God, we should make good on it.

There were a few examples of these in the Old Testament:

Nazirite Vow: The Nazirite vow is described in Numbers 6:1-21. It involved a period of consecration during which an individual abstained from alcohol, avoided contact with the dead, and refrained from cutting their hair. This vow was often taken for a specific period as an expression of dedication and devotion to God. This vow appears a little later in this chapter.
Jacob's Vow: After Jacob has a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven at Bethel (Genesis 28:10-22), he makes a vow to God, promising to give a tenth of all he receives and to worship God faithfully if God will be with him, protect him, and provide for his needs.
Jephthah's Vow: Jephthah, a judge of Israel, makes an infamous vow to God (Judges 11:30-31), promising to sacrifice the first thing that comes out of his house if God grants him victory in battle. Unfortunately, he does win, and the first thing he sees exiting his home when he returns is his daughter, his only child.
Hannah's Vow: In this text.

Here's what I love about Hannah's vow. It is potent. It is the promise to give to God what Hannah has longed for her whole life. It is what is most precious to her that she doesn't presently have. Hannah vows to give up to God, the one thing she has always wanted. But she's not just giving up a child. She is agreeing to give up raising him. She is giving up her family continuity. She is giving her unconceived son to the Lord for a lifetime. That is a big deal. This is a potent vow, and she makes good on it.

If you are paying attention to what I said, this sounds like God's covenant promise to Abraham in the divine son that was to come—his Son, Jesus. At least I hear echoes in her vow to God with God's vow to us.

Then this happens:

Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” And 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. They 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. And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.” — 1 Samuel 1:17-20

I love this phrase: "And her face was no longer sad." Because you see, Hannah knows! She knows what's about to happen before she leaves the Tabernacle grounds. She knows that God is going to provide. Then she goes home and "knows" her husband, and soon after comes Samuel, her only son, whom she "asked for from the Lord."

What makes this story incredible is how the long test and extended trial prove Hannah's character and reveal her commitment. Of course, God's provision in the end is awesome, but together, this makes for an amazing story even before we see all that this child Samuel is going to do.

What you and I tend to want is God's provision. But we want his provision quick and easy. We want it without the test and the trials, which do nothing to give us the character and commitment we need to handle the provision that he wants to give.

So consider this question today: What's your test or trial?

Then, after you identify that trial, ask yourself: What character and commitment does God want for me?

Then, finally, bring that character and commitment to God, and you will know the God that Hannah knew at that moment. Then go in peace and know the joy of the Lord today.

#TrustInGod
#FaithfulInTrials
#PrayerfulPersistence

ASK THIS:

How can you emulate Hannah's unwavering faithfulness and commitment in your own life, especially during times of waiting and uncertainty?

Reflecting on Hannah's story, what areas of your life require a deeper level of trust in God's provision, and how can you cultivate that trust through prayer and perseverance?

DO THIS: Build your character and commitment in the trial.

PRAY THIS: Lord, help me to trust in Your provision and remain faithful in the midst of trials, just as Hannah did. Strengthen my character and commitment as I wait upon You, knowing that Your timing is perfect and Your promises are true. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Whatever Your Plan Is.