There Was, Is, and Always Will Be a God Who Loves You

By Alessandra Velsor

“Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah would say to her, ‘Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?’”—1 Samuel 1:6–8 (NIV)

When reading this story, it doesn’t help knowing that one out of six people globally are currently affected by infertility, according to the World Health Organization. It’s a common struggle many women may carry with shame for the rest of their lives. Many reasons for infertility is out of someone’s control—in other words, there’s nothing they did to cause this. In Hannah’s time, there were no IVF treatments, adoption agencies, or alternative care to provide her with her one true desire to birth a child.

I’d like to ignore the fact that Hannah’s husband, Elkanah, has another wife, but the truth is that polygamy was a habitual sin of ignorance back then. Throughout the Bible, we see the damage and rupture this creates in the dynamics of ALL the family members involved.

In this story, we’re witnesses to the pain a reckless competition started by one of Elkanah’s wives (Penninah) does to the other (Hannah). One had children and the other didn’t, but wanted them badly. So, a rivalry sparks between the two, and it leads to Hannah weeping and starving herself.

We see a similar storyline when Abraham, with his wife Sarah’s permission, chooses his concubine Hagar to bring forth a son in Genesis 16. In this story, it’s Sarah who mistreats Hagar upon realizing she had conceived Abraham’s son, Ishmael. Sarah understands the root of the problem when she confronts Abraham: “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me” (Genesis 16:5 NIV, emphasis added).

Oh, and let’s not forget how Elkanah tried to cheer Hannah up! “Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” With that statement, we understand that as much as he loved her this was such an insensitive question to ask her in this moment. We can hear the desperation in his questions; he truly doesn’t want Hannah to be hurt.

It’s such an unfortunate situation that needed to happen so God could do what He always does in the midst of our most painful trials. There’s always a purpose for our tears and despair in the moments we can’t or refuse to look beyond. And is it me, or does time move slower when we find ourselves in troubling times?

God’s plan was already in play, and although He doesn’t approve of Elkanah’s choice of having two wives, we know He still chooses to empathize with them in their suffering. God may have closed Hannah’s womb for just a moment, but was it with the purpose of getting her attention? Does God mean more to her than ten sons? Only God can ask this question to make us aware of our own idolatry. Through this study, you’ll learn that Hannah responds to God with devotion toward Him. Because of this, she plays a major role in God’s incredible scheme to save the whole world!

If you feel hopeless today, may this story remind you that there was, is, and always will be a God who sees you, cares for you, and loves you immensely. You may not be able to comprehend His love in your current circumstances but have faith that you someday will.

Pause: Meditate on Psalm 13.

Practice: Invest in a journal and record a few instances when God has answered your prayers. In our most difficult times, it’s encouraging to read through our own testimonies to be reminded that God is much bigger than our circumstances!

Pray: Father, thank You for Your love and for knowing what’s best in my life. Strengthen my faith in You today so when I go through fiery trials, I know I can fully trust You to respond and take control of the situation. Help me respond in such a way that brings You all the glory, and fill me with Your patience to wait faithfully. Grow my desire to know You more because I want my love for You to be the center of my life and for my faith to increase. Amen.