Leaning

“Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!” - Psalm 46:10

So often in life, we are overwhelmed. Perhaps we are overwhelmed with pain and loss; perhaps we are overwhelmed with frustration and anger; or maybe we are overwhelmed with stress over things we cannot control. This psalm reminds us to pause and remember who our God is, and that we can always rest in Him.

In 1 Samuel, Hannah was in deep pain over her struggle with fertility, while her husband's second wife had several children. Additionally, the other wife was provoking Hannah, harassing her about her infertility. Hannah was hurt, surely questioning why God would give children to this other woman but not her. 1 Samuel says this:

“She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “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.” - 1 Sam 1:10-11

In her pain, Hannah didn’t hide how she felt. Instead, she faithfully leaned on God. She remained still and remembered who was in control. Even though she didn’t know why, she knew that God was good no matter her situation. 

Often, we can get distracted from God’s goodness by the issues in our lives. Our souls become restless as we forget who is in control. God reminded His people of this through His prophet Isaiah:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; 

I have called you by name, you are mine.” - Isaiah 43:1b

Pain, loss, grief, and sorrow are all aspects of life --- inevitable in a world plagued by sin. However, we do not have to be alone during those times. God calls us to lean on Him, to remember that He is yours and you are His. He can be our cornerstone, holding us up through the fiercest of storms. 

This is God telling Joshua to be courageous before going into the promised land --- to trust that He is with him (Josh 1:9); it’s Paul reminding the church in Ephesus that they are to be strong in the Lord and remember His mighty power (Eph 6:10); and it’s the sermon from Moses to the Israelites where he reminds God’s people that God will not forsake them, and for that reason, they can have strength and courage (Deut 31:6).

When Hannah was in deep pain, she leaned on God and God responded by giving her a son. Her son, Samuel, grew up to be one of the most prominent Old Testament prophets and a faithful servant of the Lord. Once she had the son, Hannah did not stop leaning on God. After her son was born, Hannah prayed this:

“Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” - 1 Sam 1:26-28a

As Hannah continued to lean on God with the life of her only son because she trusted her creator in everything, so we, too, can trust God with everything. We can trust Him with our pain. We can trust Him with our joy. He will meet our needs and He will fulfill His promises. Though it can be challenging to lean on God in difficult times, no one knows our pain greater than our God --- our personal God who cares for us and empathizes with us. We can always lean on Him no matter the situation. So be still and know who He is. Draw closer to your Creator and fellowship with Him. Accept the priceless gift of grace, remember His endless mercies, and lean on Him and His everlasting love. 

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