“There was a man named Elkanah who lived in Ramah in the region of Zuph in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, of Ephraim. 2 Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. 3 Each year Elkanah would travel to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies at the Tabernacle. The priests of the Lord at that time were the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas. 4 On the days Elkanah presented his sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to Peninnah and each of her children. 5 And though he loved Hannah, he would give her only one choice portion because the Lord had given her no children. 6 So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children. 7 Year after year it was the same, Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat. 8 “Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me isn’t that better than having ten sons?”” 1 Samuel 1:1-8 NLT
God of the barren years,
I think many of us have years when we pray and nothing happens or we have areas of our life than just seem disappointing. Or maybe others seem to lead more exciting lives. Hannah knew many years of weeping. And she took her weeping into Your presence when they went on annual pilgrimage to the Tabernacle. She had a husband who loved her. But sometimes counting our blessings doesn’t make us feel better.
Hannah went to the best place. To Your heart and poured out her heart. You will have Your way in Your time and in Your way. She got and answer to prayer but then gave up the child to serve You. She did not cling to him, keep him close or gloat about having a son. She gave what she most treasured back to You. Literally. And watched. She would have seen the important roll he grew into. Mothing was wasted. Her tears and yearnings. Her sacrifice as a mother. Her genericity in providing what he needed as he grew.
Help us to see when it is hard and dry that nothing is wasted from these times. You are with us in them. The Psalmist says, ” You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (Psalm 56:8). Nothing is wasted in Your compassion.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 15th April 2025
You know my every need
You see my poverty
You are enough for me, Jesus
You gave the blind their sight
You raised the dead to life
You’ve done the same for me, Jesus
You are loving, You are wise
There is nothing in my life You cannot revive
You are loving, You are wise
There is nothing too hard for our God
Your word inside of me
My strength, my everything
My hope will always be Jesus
Your breath inside my lungs
You’re worthy of my trust
You will forever be, Jesus
Chorus
Nothing is wasted
You work all things for good
And nothing is wasted
Your promise remains
Forever You reign
Lyrics: Jason Ingram, Jason Gray and Douglas Mckelvey.