Over the past few weeks, we peeked into the lives of Anna, Hannah and Mary. Although we only got a glimpse into one period of their lives, we learned their practices of worship and trusting God prepared them for unexpected life crises. Their auto-responses to shattering news…

During the worst days and months of my grief journey, my default mode was to turn to close friends for help. Through them God kept His promise He would make His people a blessing to others. They became God’s “promise keepers…

As I have dug deeper into the lives of Anna, Hannah, and Mary, I am struck by the tangible demonstration of the promises of the Covenant and why theology matters every day, but especially when life comes crashing down around us…

The similarities in Hannah and Mary’s songs are striking and a reminder that writers, moved by the Holy Spirit, wrote the Scriptures. Paul’s words to Timothy about the perfection of Scripture apply to these songs as well…

Though Mary never met Hannah, Mary’s song of praise parallels Hannah’s worship song. I like the idea of Hannah “mentoring” Mary through the record of Scripture and now…

Hannah’s song requires much more than a devotional in order to unpack the rich doctrines and joy that drives its way out of Hannah’s heart and into these beautiful words. Remember Eli could not hear Hannah’s lament for…

The parallels between Mary, the mother of Jesus, God’s Son, and Hannah, the mother of Samuel, God’s priest, are remarkable. Neither woman’s claim to fame is that of a Deborah, Esther, Miriam or other women of leadership. We know Mary and Hannah because they are mothers who gave birth to sons through…

What is your default mode when life comes crashing down? What systems are you building into your life while the sun shines that will fuel your pilgrimage with hope when storm clouds burst open and…

Slowly, slowly life crashed down on Hannah. Year after year she longed for a child, but God closed her womb. Her default mode in the face of disappointment was to continue her practice of corporate worship and prayer…

How many of us make desperate promises in an attempt to influence God to give us what we want, especially when life doesn’t go as we planned? Then, when it appears God “came through”, we quickly forget our words or…

Catch the words of conflict in Today’s Treasure: her rival, provoke, grievously irritated, so it went on year after year, she used to provoke her. Hannah’s response to Peninnah’s taunting was to weep

The morning after Hannah’s spiritual experience, her family worships one more time before returning home. Hannah’s facial expression indicated something had shifted in her soul. I wonder how long it took for Peninnah to realize she no longer had power over Hannah. Soon Hannah learns she is pregnant…

Do you ever wonder what Elkanah thought about his wife’s vow to give their firstborn son to God? It’s likely she told him about her encounter with Eli and how she not only pleaded with God to give her a son but also…

Hannah’s story teaches us so much about being a life-giver rather than a life-taker. Remember how distraught Hannah was during the family dinner? Her agony…

Where are you on your pilgrimage? Are you taking time to “taste and see that the Lord is good?” Are you intentionally building systems into your life that will act as your default system if life comes crashing down? Or are you…

Hannah’s countenance changed through her lament. God moved in her pain and turned her heart toward His presence and grace. Hannah left this intimate time with her God, refueled and energized to face Peninnah and another year of waiting on Him…

When Peninnah takes great delight in reminding Hannah God has forgotten to fill her womb with life, I imagine Hannah praying words like these in Today’s Treasure…

As soon as their family meal ended, Hannah found a private corner of the temple where the desire of her heart drove her to the arms of God. Here she freely laments and pleads with God, not knowing there was a witness to her unbridled emotions…

Year after year Hannah traveled to Shiloh with her family to praise and worship God for all His blessings. No doubt Peninnah’s torment began during the first mile of their trip. Hannah did not let…

Every year, Elkanah took his family to worship and sacrifice at Shiloh out of obedience to God’s call to go to the tabernacle for annual worship…