Hannah’s peace

When things are on the up and up, we’re happy to let everybody know about them. Obviously we must be pretty clever and obviously God is blessing us, so we don’t mind telling people about it, right? But when we’re struggling, we try to keep it to ourselves, as if we’re ashamed.

But that’s not what the Bible teaches:

And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Romans 5:3–5)

Quite a different concept – boasting in our sufferings. It’s all about letting God have His way with us. So let’s take a look at the next part of Hannah’s story in our quest to discover how to develop that quiet confidence in God, in Jesus, during our times of suffering.

This next Bible verse is absolutely pivotal:

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

This Scripture beats in my heart as an absolute truth. If, instead of worrying, we go to God with a thankful heart and pour it all out to Him as Hannah did, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. That’s what happened to Hannah – and it will happen to you. It’s a promise from God.

As you spend time in His presence, through prayer and meditating on His Word, the peace of God will be restored to you. The confidence that you have in Jesus will grow.

My friend, God doesn’t want us to be afraid. He wants us to be strong and courageous. That’s His will for your life and mine. Strength and courage.

How do we live that way? Two things. Pray and read His Word. They’re two simple actions… and they’re critically important. Those two things open the way for the Lord to pour His Spirit and His peace and His power and His confidence into your heart. 

It’s so simple. God’s promise is so true. He wants to bring peace and confidence and courage into your heart. He truly does.

LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS 

• Think back to the last time you were going through a really tough time. It might have been this morning! Were you trying to hide your struggle from others? Why/why not?
• Read Philippians 4:6–7 again, slowly and carefully. Ask God to speak into your heart with all of His grace, love and wisdom as you do. What is He saying to you? 
• Are there things in your life that are causing you to live in fear, rather than the strength and courage of God? Ask Him to show you what they are… and how to defeat them.

Lord God, 

You know what I’m going through right now. And You know sometimes how I struggle to pray and to open my Bible. But today I’ve heard how You blessed Hannah with peace and how You answered her prayer. And so I pray, dear Holy Spirit, that You would embolden me to come before the throne of grace each and every day – and that you would fill me with your peace, too. I pray it in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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