Unfinished Faith: Relearning God.

Week 23:

The bit where I introduce:

Have you ever been misunderstood? Perhaps someone assumed they knew your motives when they didn’t. Maybe they judged your actions without understanding the pain, grief or circumstances behind them. There have been times in my life when I wished people could have seen beyond what was visible and understood what was really happening in my heart.

This week I wanted find an example of this and looked at Hannah’s story. One of the most striking parts of her story is not simply her longing for a child, but the way she was misunderstood by those around her. Yet, this story is something much bigger: it shows us the God who sees, hears and ultimately reverses human expectations.

The bit where I refer to the Bible and ask a few questions:

1 Samuel chapters 1 &2 is where we find our read this week.

Hannah’s life as we read was full of deep sorrow. Unable to have children, she endured years of grief and disappointment, something some may identify with. To add insult to injury, Peninnah (was the second wife to Elkanah, making her the co-wife or rival wife to Hannah) continued to provoke her because of her infertility aka the original mean girl.

Overwhelmed by her sorrow, she went to the house of the Lord and poured out her heart in prayer. One of those prayers that hold such anguish she prayed silently, lips moving but no words coming out- ever prayed those prayers?

Eli a priest watched her and thought she was crazy and or drunk based on only what he could see. “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” (1 Samuel 1:14).

What Eli misread her as being drunk was actually devotion. What appeared to be a disorder to him was for Hannah a desperate act of faith. God heard her prayer and in His perfect timing gave her a son, Samuel. Apart from that beautiful act of grace for her, what is even more powerful and awe- inspiring is the prayer of praise she offers in 1 Samuel 2. One of the most famous prayers in the bible, when I re read and read some commentaries it revealed to me a profound theology about the character of God she celebrates, her God and ours, who overturns human expectations.

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heaps.” Read the others (1 Samuel 2:4-8)

This prayer she uttered in faith, is prophetic in some ways as centuries later, another woman Mary would echo the same themes. I learned it’s referred to as the Magnificat and parallels Hannah’s prayer. Both these women experienced God’s favour in unexpected ways and celebrated a God who sees the overlooked, honours the humble and who still works through the weak, the forgotten, the misunderstood and the unlikely. I’m sure we have all identified with one of those characteristics in our lives.

Like Hannah, we can become discouraged when people draw conclusions about us that are simply not true. But I am reminded through Hannah that God sees beyond appearances. He knows the burdens we carry quietly and understands the prayers we pray behind closed doors. I have prayed many of those lately!

One of the discoveries I made when I re read this was Hannah and her tale reminds us that God’s heart is consistently drawn towards the humble. Throughout the bible we see Him lifting those whom society overlooks and works through people who seem insignificant in the eyes of the world.

Is that you? Do you feel like that?

Like Hannah and Mary, we can trust that our lives are held by a God who sees, hears and remembers. He always remains faithful even when others misunderstand us. Sometimes I believe God calls us to walk away carrying a reputation He knows isn’t true, because He is more concerned with building your character than protecting your image.

Her beautiful prayer and song teach us that God is a God of reversal. He can bring down the proud, lifting the humble and vindicating (vindicate means to clear someone of blame, suspicion, or guilt, or to prove that an idea, action, or decision was correct despite doubt or criticism) those who trust Him.

The bit where you get to think about stuff: Questions for the week.

Have you ever experienced being misunderstood by someone whose opinion mattered to you?

What does Hannah’s prayer teach you about God’s character?

Is there an area where you need to trust God’s understanding more than other people’s opinions of you?