I Samuel 1:6
“Her rival, however, would provoke her bitterly to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb.”
The Lord closed Hannah’s womb. She wasn’t given any reason why. It was very difficult. Most wives want to start a family. She probably saw all the young mothers in the neighborhood. Many of her friends most likely had kids. But not Hannah. This was the most overwhelming time in her life. Times like these are difficult to prepare for.
To make things worse her husband’s other wife had several children running around the house. She would use this opposite state to provoke Hannah. The home is supposed to be one’s sanctuary from the bullies in the world. Hannah had no such luxury. Her enemy wasn’t at the gate, but inside it.
She had no place to be refreshed; no room she could go to for solace. The other wife could instruct her children to be loud and disrupt. This is difficult, as we need a place to sit, connect with God and to recharge our batteries. When this isn’t possible, our stress increases; we become overwhelmed. Our judgment becomes skewed. This is Hannah’s new normal.
I think of the being lost while in the woods. One may have a hunch of the right way. Yet, be wrong. Hours are spent going in the wrong direction. Food resources are dwindling. Then the lost hiker realizes the mistake. Desperation sets in. “I’m lost.” She was so sure of the direction, but now sees the error. She has no idea where to go.
Hannah seems to be in a similar place. She knows God is good and He loves her. She felt as though she made a good marriage choice, as her husband loves her greatly. Yet, this doesn’t seem right. She doesn’t feel God’s blessing and care. She may begin to doubt herself and other things.
David say is Psalm 61:2, “From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Lord, we are sad for Hannah. Help us when we are overwhelmed.