The Affliction.

As is the tradition on Mother's Day, our sermon took another look at the first chapter of First Samuel.

This year, Pastor Sam commented on a phrase we tend to overlook in the story of Hannah: "the LORD had closed her womb." The phrase is repeated in verses 5 and 6 of chapter one.

A number of years ago, I received a very critical letter (from a solid Christian, by the way). What was the criticism? Well, to summarize, the person's philosophy was that "complete women" (huh??) have sons, and since I didn't have any sons I was therefore an incomplete person.

I imagine that Hannah endured similar comments in her day. And, unlike me, Hannah didn't have the advantage of ignoring the comments. I grew up in the shadow of Roe v. Wade, in an era where children were devalued and pregnancies could be classed as "unwanted" and easily dispensed with. But Hannah was part of a culture that valued children highly. Children were a sign of God's favor upon a household.

And the text jumps off the page: "but Hannah had no children" (First Samuel 1:2). It does not say that Hannah was barren or infertile, or that she was suffering the consequences of a life of drugs or sicknesses. It was simply God at work in her, receiving glory through her lack.

Has the LORD delayed something that you have been longing for? Take encouragement from Hannah's story. Her affliction was addressed by God on His timetable. Be assured that God knows our needs, and is behind the scenes: working not only for our behalf, but also for the sake of His kingdom.