Faith Is Not Based On The Seen, But On The Unseen

A story in 1 Samuel demonstrates the power of God. A man named Elkanah had two wives. We do not know the circumstance behind why he had two wives, but we do know he was a responsible husband. The Scripture tells us he went up yearly to the house of God to worship and sacrifice to the Lord.

The Scripture (1 Samuel 1:4-5) goes on to say: “And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb.”

In this passage, we read about the brokenness of a barren woman. Hannah desired a child more than anything. In verse eleven, she cried out to God with a vow:

“Then she made a vow and said, O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”

The Priest Eli overheard her prayer in verse 17:

“Then Eli answered and said, ‘Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.’

“And she said, ‘Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.’ So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.”

Hannah trusted in the Lord of Hosts. The Lord of Armies. God came through with her request, and Hannah gave birth to the prophet Samuel.

Hannah shows that faith is not about believing for what has already been provided for us, but it’s about believing that God will always give us what we need and in the right timing to glorify Himself.