The Athlete's Challenge: Old Testament HeroesSample

Heroes: Hannah's Resilience

Reading Plan:

• Day 63: 1 Samuel 1
• Day 64: 1 Samuel 2:1-11
• Day 65: 1 Samuel 3

Devotional:

Ready:

“'No, my lord,' Hannah replied. 'I am a woman with a broken heart. I haven’t had any wine or beer; I’ve been pouring out my heart before the Lord. Don’t think of me as a wicked woman; I’ve been praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment.'” -- 1 Samuel 1:15-16, CSB

Set:

Hannah was a wife of Elkanah, a Jewish man. But here’s the thing. She was not his only wife. Peninnah was his other bride, who was very fertile, became pregnant, and delivered children. From Scripture, we know that Peninnah tormented Hannah about her inability to have children. Rubbing salt into the wound, on the annual trips to the temple to present sacrifices, Peninnah was given a portion of meat equal to the number of children. Hannah received but one for herself since she had no children.

Hannah was heartbroken. But though Peninnah was the source of ridicule, Hannah showed remarkable control by not retaliating. Rather, her frustration was directed to God:

"Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept with many tears. Making a vow, she pleaded, 'Lord of Armies, if you will take notice of your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give your servant a son, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut.'” -- 1 Samuel 1:10-11

I wonder if I could have remained silent under such duress. Even when Priest Eli saw her praying and wrongly accused her of being drunk, she showed respect for the office in her response. In the end, Eli took up for Hannah, praying that God would not only grant one son, Samuel, but many children.

As a competitor, do you think there is a lesson to be learned from Hannah’s response and self-control? She apparently had great wisdom to know when to shut up and be silent, and when to cry out to the only one who could make a difference. Lashing out at competitors or referees is seldom wise or effective. It does nothing but aggravate the party on the receiving end. But self-imposed silence, speaking only to God about the situation? Therein lies the power.

Go:

1. Can you think of an example when Jesus kept silent at accusations made against Him?
2. Think about a time when you spoke inappropriately and with the wrong attitude. What happened? Would the result have been different had you kept quiet or shown respect?
3. Is there ever a time when we should speak up to defend ourselves or our teammates?