When we hear the word patience, many of us sigh inwardly. It is one of those virtues that sounds beautiful in theory but can be difficult to practice in reality. Often, when someone tells us to be patient, it feels as though there is nothing else left to do but wait.
As I read through the book of 1st Samuel and reflected on Hannah’s story, the Lord opened my eyes to a part of her journey that I had never paid much attention to before.
Most of us are familiar with Hannah’s waiting season before Samuel was conceived. We know of her tears, prayers, and deep longing for a child. But there was another waiting season in Hannah’s life, one that began after Samuel arrived.
In 1st Samuel 2:18-19, we read that after Hannah fulfilled her vow and left Samuel in the care of Eli, he ministered before the Lord. The Scripture also tells us that Hannah made a little linen ephod for him and brought it to him year after year when she came with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.
This detail caught my attention. It means that after Hannah surrendered Samuel to the Lord, her other children did not come immediately. For some reason, I had always imagined that God blessed her with more children right away. But the Bible paints a different picture.
Year after year, Hannah and Elkanah returned to Shiloh. Year after year, they continued their sacrifices. Year after year, Hannah visited Samuel, whom she had given back to God.
What remarkable patience!
Many people find it easy to worship and give thanks when they can see immediate results. But what happens when the answer seems delayed? What happens when God has fulfilled one promise, yet another blessing is still on the horizon?
Hannah teaches us that faithfulness should not be dependent on immediate results. She did not withdraw her commitment to God. She did not stop worshipping. She did not become bitter because the next blessing had not yet arrived. Her heart remained fixed on the One to whom she had entrusted Samuel.
This reminds me of Isaiah 26:3:
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
Hannah’s peace was rooted in her trust. She knew that the God who had answered her before was still faithful and would keep His word.
Eventually, God’s promise came to pass.
1st Samuel 2:21 tells us that the Lord visited Hannah, and she gave birth to more children. The blessing arrived, but not immediately. There was still a season of waiting, a season of trusting, and a season of remaining faithful.
Dear friend, whatever you are believing God for today, do not allow the delay to weaken your love for Him. Do not allow the waiting season to diminish your faith.
Keep loving Him.
Keep trusting Him.
Keep serving Him.
Keep believing.
The promise will come at the appointed time.
As Habakkuk 2:3 reminds us: “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it shall speak, and not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
And to anyone reading this who has not yet surrendered their life to Christ, this is another reminder that the Lord is patiently calling you to Himself. He continues to extend His grace and mercy, but there will come a day when each of us will give an account before God Romans 14:12.
Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart.
God is waiting for your response.
See you soon.
God bless you.
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