Learning From the Life of Hannah: A Woman with Serious Problems {Part 3}

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{This is Part 3 in a series on the Life of Hannah.

Click here for Part 1.}

We have been learning from the life of Hannah as narrated in 1 Samuel. If you haven’t read the account recently, I encourage you to do so this week. In reading the account we see Hannah was a woman with some serious problems.

Many of us, it not all of us, can relate to such a woman. We will not escape problems in this life. There are hard roads to travel as we wait longingly for our eternal dwelling. We know that God sovereignly governs over all and we can rest in Him.

Come now and know that God Providentially Guides all circumstances and see how Hannah Earnestly Pours out her soul.

In 1 Samuel, we are told the Lord closed Hannah’s womb.

Don’t think for a moment that God is blind to your problems. Don’t believe that He is not present in your suffering. The LORD of hosts is with us. Whatever problems or suffering God brings into your life, you can be confident that he has a purpose for it.



Our suffering is hard to bear, but God will use it to bring us to Him to find the solution that He had in mind.

And so after they eat and drink, while in Shiloh, Hannah rises and earnestly pours out her soul to the One who providentially guides all of life’s circumstances.

E.M. Bounds wrote: “ . . . none but the earnest man gets access to the ear of God.”

In her distress, Hannah prays to the LORD of hosts. Not only has the nation of Israel reached its depths, she personally cannot go on without surrendering to the One who rules over all.

God brought her through the suffering to bring her to the place to vow the vow we read in 1 Samuel 1:11:

“O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

At that time, if a woman vowed a vow, on the day her husband heard of it he could oppose the vow she uttered and void it.

Eli, the priest could see Hannah as she prayed. But, she was speaking only in her heart. Her lips moved, but her voice was not heard, so her vow could not be voided.

But, Eli misunderstood her to be a drunk woman out of control rather than a devout woman completely surrendering herself to the Lord.



She has come to the Lord as a troubled woman, in great anxiety and vexation. She couldn’t save herself from her affliction, but she could surrender herself to the author of her joy.

Hannah’s barreness grievously distressed her. Hannah’s God graciously delivered her.

In her affliction, Hannah felt forgotten. In his faithfulness, God remembered Hannah.

If she had not had years of barrenness and suffering would she have so earnestly made this vow to the Lord?

Hannah pours out her soul to the Lord. The Lord grants her petition to give her a son.

God brought suffering into her life to bring her to a place of surrender so she would be prepared to give him back her son.



God knows what it will take to bring us to the place of surrender and He will by His providence guide us right to that place. He directs all things to accomplish exactly what he has, in advance, purposed to unfold.

William Cowper, a poet in the 1700’s, who suffered from grievous problems and sank into deep despair in his life, wrote these words:

“God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea

And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines

Of never failing skill

He treasures up His bright designs

And works His sov’reign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy and shall break

In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust Him for His grace;

Behind a frowning providence

He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flow’r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err

And scan His work in vain;

God is His own interpreter,

And He will make it plain.”

We are to be a people who earnestly pray. Prayer and God’s providence go hand in hand. The one who trusts that the Lord providentially guides stands on a firm foundation.

Hannah had a problem, but she turned to the Lord and trusted in His plan.

Whatever problem you may be facing in your life right now, will you earnestly pour out your soul to the Lord?

Come back next week as we learn from Hannah that God graciously gives us all things.

{Continue to Part 4 here.}

Learning From the Life of Hannah: A Woman with A Serious Problem {Part 1}

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join us at HopeStreamRadio}

Are you a woman with a problem?

Perhaps a serious, heart-wrenching problem that fills your life with grief. You know what it is like to drag yourself out of bed, go through the motions of the daily mundane, push food around on your plate, toss and turn in the night and feed on your tears when sleep won’t come? You know how it feels when it hurts to breath and your heart races and flutters when you just can’t reach out and touch that which is your heart’s greatest longing.

Perhaps you are walking along side a friend who has a serious problem and you wonder how you can keep on encouraging her.

Over the coming weeks, we are going to become a little more acquainted with a woman with a serious problem and how her heart leapt for joy in the Sovereign Lord.

We will encourage our hearts with a narrative from the Old Testament that powerfully reveals the goodness of God in our day-to-day lives and his perfect redemptive plan for all eternity.

We will see how God:

Sovereignly Governs 

Providentially Guides 

Graciously Gives and is 

Eternally Glorified 

I am sure some of you are familiar with this woman and that your heart has gone out to her and at times you relate to her quite well.

We are first introduced to her as a wife, a woman of grace, and for those with astute observation skills, we see a woman who has a serious problem. And her problem led to intense suffering that filled her with profound sorrow and great anxiety.

She lived in Israel in the hill country of Ephraim, during the time of the Judges. She was married to a godly man who loved her dearly. However, her affliction overshadowed his love for her. She was so deeply distressed and that she could hardly eat.

We get to know this woman in the first chapter of 1 Samuel. As we observe her life and how she responded to her problem, we can’t help but to examine our own heart.

We are turning back the pages of history to look at Hannah: the woman with a serious problem.

Her problem was she had no children. This was a major problem in ancient Near East. Without a son her future was not secure.

The problem was intensified for her because not only did she have no children her husband had another wife. And the other wife had given her husband children.

Remember when Sarai offered her maidservant, Hagar, to her Abraham to obtain children by her. Once Hagar conceived she looked at Sarai with contempt and Sarai dealt harshly with Hagar.

Then there was great rivalry between Rachel and Leah as the Lord opened and closed their wombs.

So it wasn’t a unique problem only to her, but Hannah handles it with grace.

Her husband had more than one wife—which was a direct violation of God’s command—and he subjects his family to painful consequences that were difficult to bear.

During this time in Israel’s history, when the nation had reached its depths and everyone did what was right in their own eyes, we meet a few godly individuals. The Lord was setting the stage for his plans to unfold.

God required his people to go up to the house of the Lord three times a year. And so we meet Elkanah, faithfully going up to Shiloh, year by year, to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of Hosts. We see this nation was continuously unfaithful, the priesthood was corrupt, yet God Sovereignly governs over all. 

In 1 Samuel 1:3, we read the first occurrence in the Bible of the name: The Lord of Hosts, which means he is the LORD who rules over all.

The nation was weak, the time of the judges was drawing to a close and God is the Supreme Ruler over all—over the stars, the angels, the nation of Israel, all believers. It is a military term that implies God will fight for his people and will win the victory.

When you get to the end of yourself you will turn to the Lord of hosts, the name also translated: Lord Sabaoth.

In his hymn “A Mighty Fortress in Our God”, Martin Luther penned these words:

“Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.”

In the Old Testament we read over and over, as the Lord warned the nation of Israel of their unfaithfulness and His coming wrath, how the prophets repeatedly called on the Lord of hosts.

When Paul, in Romans 9, speaks of the Gentiles that have attained a righteousness that is by faith, he quotes Isaiah: “And as Isaiah predicted, ‘If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.’”

For those who “by grace . . . have been saved through faith” we call on the Lord of hosts: Christ Jesus who has won the battle and reigns victoriously.

Hannah prayed to the Lord of Hosts. She did have a serious problem, but she turned to the Lord and sought His help.

Over time, Hannah’s circumstances changed, but the Lord does not change. Hannah’s joy did not come because her circumstances changed, but because she recognized God’s grace in her life. Yes, Hannah was a woman with a serious problem, but her joy was ultimately in the Lord God.

Come back next week as we will examine exactly what Hannah’s problem was and how God sovereignly governs over all. In the meantime, whatever trouble you are walking through right now, look to the Lord of Hosts and, know that He is the same God today and “know that in all things [He] works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

{Continue to Part 2 here.}

Living Out Vows in the Valley of Sickness and Over a Lifetime {One Thing Our Marriages Desperately Need Today ~~ A Husband's Heartfelt Words as His Wife's Heart was Weak #HeartMonth.}

{To read Part 1, the beginning of the series:

"A Husband's Heartfelt Words as His Wife's Heart Was Weak"

click here first.}

I wept over the smallest thing holed up in my ICU room in the hospital.

I tried to slip my wedding rings on my swollen finger for our anniversary and they still didn't fit. The swelling in my hands and feet from my heart working hard to heal made it impossible for me to wear the golden band that Jon placed on my finger fifteen years prior. It was not a major dilemma, but it was devastating for me at the time.

I pulled out a fresh journal my sister-in-law had sent me and began to pour out my broken heart on crisp, white paper like the steady, silent stream of salty tears.

In writing—in the releasing, in the exposing, in the surrendering—there is a quiet balm to the soul.

Without a voice, my silent weeping merged with my quiet introspection into words that trickled down like quiet waters—a resting place for my restless thoughts:

"Fifteen years ago we were at our wedding rehearsal, practicing walking down the aisle in the church, getting all the proper positions for the wedding party, finishing up all the last minute details of our "perfect wedding". We were so excited to be starting life together, looking forward to having a family, serving the Lord together as a married couple, growing old together. 

"Honeymoon plans were all set; we were ready to set sail to Bermuda after our wedding day. 

"We had such a young, innocent love. Naive. But completely determined. I was going to completely entrust my self to my new young husband. I was eager, nervous, still much too selfish, self-conscious, stubborn, self-absorbed, but in love and ready to grow in love together. 

"Tonight, the eve of our fifteenth anniversary we sit together in cardiovascular ICU. Jon has been my steady support. The way he has demonstrated his love and commitment has been truly amazing. As the patient, I've depended on him. But, as the caregiver and one watching his wife suffer, I can't imagine the lonely road he has been walking for almost 5 weeks. 

"I give thanks for him, my love."

The next day, our fifteenth anniversary, the words were as scarce as water in a parched land, but not without a glimmer of hope:

"We've sat side by side, walked hand in hand today in CVICU today on our 15th anniversary. How we would love to go out on a date for a celebration. 

But, this year we celebrate by living out our vows in sickness. Nothing fancy."

Nothing fancy. No elaborate get-away, no sunsets on the beach, no breath-taking views or buffets overladen with gourmet food, no fun excursions, no privacy, no suites with hot-tubs. But, we celebrated by living out our vows and giving thanks to God even for this circumstance.

That's where love grows.

In the soil of the day-to-day. In the sowing, the giving, the watering, the growing, the learning, the laughing, the forgiving, the yielding, the living out of vows every day—even in sickness, in the hard, disappointing, trivial, troublesome, bone-weary, heart-breaking, growing old together, till death separates and in everything giving thanks to God.

It's an unending commitment like the unending bands of gold that may or may not fit our fingers.

So many toss it away when it doesn't seem to fit anymore or it's not new or exciting or dazzling, but it's a messy and gruesome tearing apart that breaks hearts and lives and families and grieves the very heart of God who purposed that we give ourselves in submission and love just as His Son gave Himself for His Bride.

It is the grace of God that holds two together as each one commits themselves first to God and then one to another. Without his mercy, grace, and holy love we are lost and floundering and helpless to live out this love with one another. How else could two selfish, self-absorbed sinners grow in love?





Jon faithfully sat by my side, winked at me from across the room and reflected on the years and vows we had lived and together we gave thanks. I was blessed and encouraged as he shared his musings on October 2nd:

A decade and a half ago life was bringing significant change for me. One stage of life was coming to an end and a new stage was beginning.

Fifteen years ago today at 2:00 pm I stood and watched the back doors open and Rebekah walked the long centre aisle to the front to begin a new life journey with me. With no baggage or past regrets we went forward together, looking ahead to the new chapter and whatever way the road would bend for us. We didn't know what was going to be around each corner.

I remember it being somewhat overwhelming, amid the emotion and blurred excitement of our wedding day to fully absorb and dwell on the verbal and heart commitments we were making to each other. Promises made in such a short period of time, that would be lived out over a lifetime.

It was never just a trivial thing for us. Making vows with intentions of only living through the good times, or because it's needed to make the crowd smile and nod on the special day, or to get a pronouncement from a minister, was never our focus. For us it was a big deal to stand before God and declare faithfulness, through sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live. The knowledge that just as God keeps His promises, He expects us to keep ours too.

The impact of commitment resonates and solidifies us as we sit here together today on our fifteenth anniversary in the cardiovascular intensive care unit in Toronto. Waiting for INR numbers to rise to coagulate her blood properly and safely, waiting to be weaned fully from a ventilator that is assisting in strengthening a recovering lung, living with the discomforts of a tracheostomy in her throat and a feeding tube. (We do give thanks that her recent mobility, slightly better sleep habits, clarity of mind have all assisted in keeping blood co2 gasses lower and are not being monitored now. A great step forward in this process that we trust continues).

No, it's not the same as any other landmark year we've celebrated. It's not like the cruise to Bermuda, or the trip to the Algonquin couples resort, it's not the same as Niagara-on-the-Lake or the Sight and Sound Theatre in Pennsylvania. We can't vocally communicate or even go out for a nice steak dinner today.

But even though this part of our road has descended into the valley for a time, we still have the two most important things in the journey with us. We have each other, and we have the One who brought us together in the first place who still walks with us now. 

And if those blessings are not enough, God chose to enrich our lives with loving and supportive family, healthy and active children, an incredible church family, amazing close friends, a great homeschool connection, wonderful neighbours, prayer networks, supportive and encouraging people all over the world. You are all amazing. We are truly blessed!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 

Even though there are a thousand more exciting and romantic places I would rather take my wife away to on this day—we will give thanks today, for God keeping us right in the centre of His will. 

-Jon

~.~.~.~.~.

This is part 14 of the series:

One Thing Our Marriages Desperately Need Today ~~ A Husband's Heartfelt Words as His Wife's Heart was Weak

{for #HeartMonth.}

You can read Part 1, the beginning of the series here.

Read Part 15 here.

To receive these updates in an email subscribe to A Soft Gentle Voice. 

In the Centre of God's Plan {One Thing Our Marriages Desperately Need Today ~~ A Husband's Heartfelt Words as His Wife's Heart was Weak #HeartMonth.}

{To read Part 1, the beginning of the series:

"A Husband's Heartfelt Words as His Wife's Heart Was Weak"

click here first.}

Following my tracheostomy and being taken off all antipsychotics and sleeping medications (which are commonly prescribed following open-heart surgery and in the ICU) my mind finally began to clear. I struggled with sleeping at first, but gradually eased into better sleep patterns and the CO2 in my blood started to level out.

The day after the tracheostomy I was in the care of one of the worst nurses and the day after that, one of the most compassionate nurses I had met. The first nurse spent more time booking her vacation days than looking after the needs of her patient and the other did everything she could—plus much more—to see that her patient was well taken care of. The night in between the extreme difference of care from these nurses, I wrestled all night without any sleep, weeping and seeking God and His promises.

Shadows of that long night slunk back as the first blush of a new day ushered in bright hope and the caring and compassionate nurse, Lorne, entered my room as the sun breaks through the darkest night and declared that it was a good day to give thanks. I wholeheartedly agreed and thanked God for her.

God is a God who see and hears and answers when we call out to Him.

Lorne deduced from my medical records that my birthday was near and went beyond her duty to see that I looked and felt as well as I possibly could in those circumstances for when my children would come to celebrate with me.

Jon and I were blessed to be able to share life with her and many times of prayer and heart-to-heart conversations.

Lorne touched Jon's and my life in a remarkable way and, I am sure, many others.

When we care for others, we have the power to make a huge difference. Both nurses were doing their "job", but one genuinely cared for the whole person and the other could hardly wait to complete her shift and move on.

We are all intersecting into the lives and stories of many others. We have the opportunity to make a profound positive or negative impact as we interact with people—keeping in mind that all of it takes place in the providential hand of a sovereign God as He writes the stories of our lives within the overarching story of His ultimate plan for His glory and our good. 

D.A. Carson writes on reflecting on the story and words of Joseph to his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done…":

"God is sovereign, and invariably good; we are morally responsible, and frequently evil."

Trusting in our sovereign God and seeing His hand in my life, Jon shared these thoughts and praise and requests on the day before my birthday:

It's not the kind of place anyone would desire to be for a day of celebration but tomorrow, the 25th, is Rebekah's birthday and yes, we will be here. But it's not about the place anyways, it's about being together to celebrate life and the goodness of God over this last year. She will turn 38 tomorrow. Online statistics would indicate the average lifespan of long-term paediatric cancer survivors to be about 37.2 years of age.

But just as we don't come into this world by accident or chance—nor do we live it or go out from it that way either. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139) and the ultimate plan and purpose for our lives is already orchestrated and established in the mind of God before we even start to form. He knows the plans He has for each of us and whatever it looks like—the best place to be is right in the centre of that plan. 

Yes, Rebekah has beaten an online statistic and she has received treatment to extend her life but I believe that God has brought her through this medically life and death surgery to continue writing this powerful story of His greatness—through her weakness. God will decide as He does for all of us, when the last earthly chapter is to be written and the book closed. Until then, we live, and He is glorified in it all.

Rebekah is gaining each day. Some of the gains are small and some are slow. 

A specialist team came in to look at diaphragm muscles today to determine effectiveness in relation to breathing. In the Operating Room her body was chilled down and as a result, [the phrenic] nerve that triggers the left diaphragm to move in sequence with the chest—when we breathe—was frozen. Probably not actually frozen, but that's the term they use. This is apparently common in long surgeries. The tough thing is that this can take weeks to repair. The good news is that it should repair itself and come back into sequence with time. 

All of these things extend our stay here but we need to be patient and allow time. This can be a prayer focus over the next few days. Her lung is strengthening and she is being weened down slowly from vent support to more of her own lung capacity taking over. She is more determined to walk again each day now and I see a rising "will power" in her to push through this that is so encouraging.

Thank you all for continued practical and powerful prayer support!! 

- Jon

~.~.~.~.~.

This is part 12 of the series:

One Thing Our Marriages Desperately Need Today ~~ A Husband's Heartfelt Words as His Wife's Heart was Weak

{for #HeartMonth.}

You can read Part 1, the beginning of the series here.

Read Part 13 here.

To receive these updates in an email subscribe to A Soft Gentle Voice. 

Rest in God's Faithfulness {One Thing Our Marriages Desperately Need Today ~~ A Husband's Heartfelt Words as His Wife's Heart was Weak #HeartMonth.}

{To read Part 1, the beginning of the series:

"A Husband's Heartfelt Words as His Wife's Heart Was Weak"

click here first.}

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

I scrawled these words on scrap paper, underlined them, emphasized them by pointing to them with the tip of my pencil over and over when I woke up with a breathing tube down my throat and waited for the doctors to decide what the next best medical procedure would be for me.

You can't talk with a breathing tube stuck in your throat, but when you are awake with a tube that goes in through your mouth and down into your trachea helping you breath you still need to communicate, so the nurses handed me a clipboard and told me to write down my concerns, questions, needs. My doctors interpreted these scribblings and reported as though I was suicidal.

I was at the point that I had no fight left in me. I was more than ready to die.

I cried out in my heart for God to take me to be with Him. I was at the lowest I had ever been and the dark waters threatened to swallow me.

I truly wanted to be with Christ.

Jon would remind me that God still had work for me to do here.

I could identify with these words Paul penned from a prison in the first century to believers in Christ in Philippi:

"I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again."

Sometimes the burden we are carrying, the suffering we are enduring is so great, we are desperate to escape it and be with Jesus. God is faithful to strengthen us and sustain us in His power that we might carry on and learn in whatever situation we are in to be content and to endure it and rejoice in our sufferings and bring comfort to others that God's name would be glorified.

It was decided the only medical option was to perform a tracheostomy (an opening surgically created through the neck into the trachea to allow direct access to the breathing tube.) But, there were risks involved with this and it would make a long road of recovery even longer.

The elders of our church came to pray. They stood around my bed and I motioned to them that I desired to depart and to be with my Lord. They put drops of oil on my forehead and prayed for God's will to be done in my life, my heart, and body.

The next day, a whole new team of doctors that Dr. David selected for my complicated medical needs, skillfully inserted a tube right into my trachea. 

At the same time, a Christian doctor chatted with Jon and recommended that I be taken off all anxiety and sleeping medications. I had never been on these medications before and he believed that they were not aiding in my recovery, but rather, in some ways were hindering it and suggested we completely surrender this to God. After three weeks of battling with these medications, they were all removed—cold turkey.

A whole new battle was about to begin.

But, God is faithful and His goodness and mercy follows us all the days of our lives. 

Even in your darkest days, in your deepest suffering, never believe that you are all alone.

At the end of a long day, on September 20th, Jon shared his concerns and confidence in the God who is ever faithful:

"It's day to day."  

"We'll see how you continue to do."

"We're watching your numbers."

"We want to get you home."

This is how [the medical staff] answer when Rebekah writes on her clipboard: 

"How much longer?"

Sometimes, focussing on that word "longer" can cause discouragement or create a sense that we are not getting anywhere fast. But isn't that what we want from God usually?—Something fast!

Earlier this week I held her hand as they injected the milky sleeping medication into the lines. All I had time to say to her was—God is still in control. She was relaxed and sleeping within seconds.

Now that is fast. But, that is medicine and technology.

Rebekah had the breathing tube put back in and she was heavily sedated for a couple of days while X-rays, echoes, ultrasounds, scopes, and monitoring happened.

During that time, I took the opportunity to get out of town and go be with my kids and spend some quality time with them and just encourage them and hug them. They have been well provided for over these weeks. Such a blessing!

Coming back to Toronto, I heard that all the tests were encouraging and coming back clear. This is wonderful yet baffling at times. Shouldn't this mean that recovery be happening FASTER? 

Chatting again with Dr. David a couple days ago, he is encouraged with Rebekah's overall progress but remains certain that this journey will not be quick. It will take time—patience—and rest. But we WILL get there.

Another test yesterday to ween her off the ventilator machine slowly and watch her lung compensate looked encouraging, but not enough quite yet to fully maintain on its own. 

Her lung, which was already compromised pre-op, has struggled post-op and this is where BiPAP and now the ventilator have been used to help as her lung slowly gains strength and opens more so she can get deeper breaths again. This is the big prayer focus right now: that her lung will fully expand and that she will be able to breathe well enough to keep her CO2 from rising on its own to unsafe levels.  

To assist with this, Rebekah had another procedure today. She was put back to sleep again and received a tracheostomy in her throat. This gives the doctors more flexibility in treating Rebekah with on and off assistance with the ventilator and the ability for her to move around and do some more exercises.

All of this could very well add another month to our overall stay here but I come back to this knowledge that God is not just about—FAST. He is all about faithfulness, about sustaining us through the long days and weeks and going the distance with us. 

I retreat to sleep for another night with this promise on my thoughts: 

"Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid,

for the LORD, your God, HE it is, that goes with you,

He will not fail you nor forsake you!

 (Deut. 31:6) 

What a place to rest!

-Jon

~.~.~.~.~.

This is part 11 of the series:

One Thing Our Marriages Desperately Need Today ~~ A Husband's Heartfelt Words as His Wife's Heart was Weak

{for #HeartMonth.}

You can read Part 1, the beginning of the series here.

Read Part 12 here.

To receive these updates in an email subscribe to A Soft Gentle Voice.