I Samuel 2:21
“The LORD visited Hannah; and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew before the LORD.”
This is a wonderful time in Hannah’s life. She has the children and the life she has dreamed of. It’s quite a contrast to the barren years. She was one of Elkanah’s wives. Early on, the other wife had multiple children. These would tease Hannah about her bareness. Those were the dry times for Hannnah. The Lord used them to mature her faith. These times brought forth much of the greatness of her future choices. However, they were painful.
Hannah is experiencing a time of blessing. As far as we know, this lasted for the rest of her days. The Lord brings us through different seasons. Some are dry, some are green and some are inbetween. We will have those green times, like Hannah.
One type of blessing comes from our exercising our talents. He first task is to learn what our talents are. The next is to find an application for them. These two discoveries take time. Some never learn them. Proverbs 18:16 says, “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.” This gift may be one of personality, character, vocation, and so on. How blessed is the one who thrives in this manner.
Another blessing is circumstantial. That was the case with Hannah. She was at a good life stage: her husband loved her, she had five more kids after Samuel, and she had Samuel, who would grow to be the prophet in the land. She was a happy woman.
God also blesses us as we walk in obedience to Him. Luke 5:1-11 provides a wonderful example. Peter (Simon) had been fishing all night, but caught nothing. Jesus tells him to cast the net to the other side. He initially resists, but eventually complies. They catch so many fish that the nets strain. We might not understand God’s direction, but He blesses us as we obey. Hannah had it rough, but may have become the proudest mother in the country.
God also blesses us because He loves us. As a Father delights in His children and does good things for them, so the Lord rains down His blessings.
Lord, we are so grateful for Your goodness to us. Help us to obey You, even though we don’t understand.