SEARCHLIGHT
What do you do when your sorrow feels like overpowering, surging waves?
SCRIPTURE
Elkanah had two wives…Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not… the Lord had given her no children. So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children. 1 Samuel 1:2,4-6 NLT
SPOTLIGHT
Sorrow can be overpowering. But when “sorrow” becomes “sorrows” due to one sad event following another, it is not only heartbreaking and painful but like overwhelming sea billows. This is what happened to Hannah whose story is found in 1 Samuel. And it was also the experience of Horatio and Elizabeth Spafford who faced similar situations.
In 1871, the Spaffords lost their properties because of the “Great Chicago Fire.” Two years later, the Spaffords planned a vacation to Europe. Because of his business, Horatio had to leave later. He kissed his family goodbye not knowing it was for the last time. Their ship collided with an iron vessel and 226 people drowned. The Spaffords lost their four precious daughters, but Elizabeth was spared. She sent a telegram to her husband which read “Saved alone. What shall I do?”
In today’s Scripture focus, Hannah was experiencing sorrow that multiplied to deep sorrows. Hannah was childless. In ancient eastern culture, this tarnished her marriage. Children were the source of joy and family pride. They were necessary for economic survival and perpetuation. Hannah was personally frustrated and disappointed. She considered herself a social and economic failure.
But the story does not end there. Hannah’s problems intensified. Elkanah was Hannah’s husband. He had taken a second wife named Peninnah who was able to bear many children. Every day Hannah was reminded of her inadequacy as she watched these little ones squeal, laugh and crawl. And each year all the family traveled to a worship festival, which became a sad festival for Hannah. Peninnah used this occasion to mock Hannah by telling her that God did not look pleasingly on her so He had closed her womb. Hannah was crushed at the point of tears and a loss of appetite.
But there was no break for Hannah. Her husband saw her sorrow but did not completely understand it. He was sympathetic but not wise. He said to her “..why do you weep, and why do you not eat, and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than 10 sons?” [1:8]
And things got worse! There was little comfort from her husband and no comfort from her priest/pastor. She went to the temple to pour out her sorrow to God and was accused by him of being drunk.[1:12–14]
What heartbreak, pressure, sadness, tears, ridicule, and misunderstanding. Why not quit? Why not walk out of the marriage? Why not end it all? Why not take revenge and become vindictive? Yet we see nothing of that nature in Hannah. Why? She had a vibrant relationship with God before the sorrows became like sea billows. He was the strength of her life. She could rise above misunderstandings, hurt, and accusations because she knew God in a personal way.
How well do you personally know God? Knowing God is being close to God. The Bible says, “Be still and know that I am God.”[Psalm 46:10] The depth of which you know God loves you, cares for you and is with you before sorrows come, will lead you to trust in His faithfulness when sorrows do come. Getting close to God now will prepare you to trust God in the future. Spending time with God now prepares you for whatever life throws at you in the future.
Just look at how close Hannah really was to God.
- She did not become displeased with God or mad at Him. Do not blame God! You can easily do this for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you lose self-respect because of a loss of hair or body part. Maybe your children do not follow your Godly example. Perhaps you get fired or your spouse is unfaithful. Maybe you are still single and have not found the right spouse.
- She did not become demanding of God. Do not demand God to answer why everything is going wrong! God’s wisdom and ways are higher than yours. What you need to ask God is what you can learn from the sorrows.
- She did not retaliate when she was ridiculed. Do not speak disfavorably about a person who criticizes you or sarcastically comments about your situation. Hannah’s name means “grace.” She knew how valuable she was because of the grace of God. So do you. God values you so let God’s grace fill your heart and mouth with a forgiving spirit.
Horatio and Elizabeth Spafford were just like Hannah. They had a very close relationship with God before the sorrows of sea billows began to roll. Horatio Spafford wrote the lyrics to the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” while passing over the location of the shipwreck where he lost his daughters. He was on his way to meet his wife in England. The Spafford’s were not displeased with God, demanding of God or retaliating. Just listen to that great hymn of comfort.
You will hear what God did for them WHEN SORROWS LIKE SEA BILLOWS ROLL.
SOMETHING TO DO
What do you need to do to draw close to God now before storms come?
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I want to personally know You. Tomorrow, I want to know You more than I did yesterday. Fill me with Your grace. You are good, loving, and caring. Thank You. AMEN