Samuel's mother, Hannah, fulfilled her vow. God, too, is as good as His word – trust His promises. Have we kept whatever promises we may have made when we were converted, or, have we gone backwards?
There are numerous comparisons between Hannah, and how she responded to the various provocations she encountered, and other women like Sarah, Anna, Elizabeth and of course the Lord's Mother, Mary. Never under-estimate a godly woman: Scripture records for us examples of such women who were raised up by God, at a time of national decline.
With Hannah's longings fulfilled in the birth of a son, Samuel, we see that God had intended for him to do great things. We also see in the conflict between Hannah and Peninnah, something of the conflict between the church and the world. In the end, Hannah was vindicated, so indeed will the true people of God, of all ages, be vindicated, in the face of the mocking and opposition of a largely unbelieving world.
The name and honour of God meant a great deal to Hannah. What does God's honour and reputation mean to you? Do you believe that God is interested in you? Vengeance, we are told, belongs to God; He will repay the evil and wickedness of those who mock and oppose His people. The Day of Vindication will come for all the Lord's people, all His promises having been fulfilled and all wrongs righted. |
