Faithful and Content in the Wait

“So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, ‘Because I asked the Lord for him.’”

–1 Samuel 1:20

I have a small closet and twice a year I end up packing away some of my clothes so that I’ll have enough room for the clothes I need for the upcoming season. It’s a task that I both love and dread. I dread it because it usually takes a few hours to go through my clothes for the new season. I take this time to figure out what fits, what needs to be donated, and what needs to be thrown away. On the other hand, I love looking through my clothes! It gets me excited for the next season as I reunite with some of my favorite tops and dresses.

This year, however, there were a few unseasonably warm days. Unfortunately, I’d already gone through the process of packing away my summer things. As I looked through my closet, I realized that I had too many sweaters. I didn’t have enough short sleeved shirts to wear!

Hannah Illustrates Contentment

This predicament reminds me of Hannah in the Bible. In 1 Samuel 1:3-20, we meet Hannah who is barren. She prays to the Lord in great anguish for a child. The Bible tells us that after Hannah prayed, she “went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast” (v. 18). Not only does Hannah decide to trust God, but she also decides to stop agonizing about her situation. We are told that it would be in the course of time that God would answer her prayer (v.20).

In the meantime, Hannah worshiped the Lord with her family, returned home where she continued to be faithful to her husband, and continued her daily life. Despite her desire for a new season—one of being a mother—she was faithful and content to do the things God had called her to do in her current season. What a beautiful lesson!

It’s hard not to long for a new season, especially when we’re eagerly looking forward to the things God has for us in the future. However, it’s important that we don’t forget about our current season. Like Hannah, we are called to be faithful and content while waiting in the place God has put us. As we trust Him, He will bring about His good will in His good timing (Psalm 145:15-16).

Let’s Pray to be Faithful and Content in the Wait

Lord, help us to be like Hannah and trust you to bring about your good will in your right timing. Strengthen us so that we can be faithful to you and content with the place you’ve put us while we wait.

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Looking for more encouragement to help you in your wait? Check out this prayer about having resilient faith. You can also check out the companion prayer to this devotional.