I know I have been there. Have you? You are walking through a deep valley feeling misery, anguish and hopelessness with each step. You are in the depths of despair.

Hannah walked this valley too. In fact, she stayed there a long time. She lived in a time when barrenness was considered worthlessness. In a culture putting all of a woman’s significance and security in having children, God had closed her womb. She felt useless, insignificant, and without hope. To make matters worse, her husband Elkanah’s other wife constantly provoked her. Peninnah had been blessed with an abundance of children, and she did not let Hannah forget it.

Each year, the family travelled from their home in Ramah to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of Lords. Elkanah gave a double portion to Hannah, because he loved her. Though Elkanah tried to fill the void of her soul with his love, even his deep love and acceptance of her barrenness could not calm the storms of her soul. Her future looked broken and hopeless, however Hannah knew she could not stay in this valley. After forcing herself to swallow another meal, Hannah got up and walked to the temple to pray.

“After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 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 Samuel 1:9-11)

When Hannah rose from that meal, she made an active choice to walk out of her valley. She went before the only One who could bring her out. Kneeling before God in the temple, Hannah quietly spoke to God from the depths of her heart.  As the anguish and grief poured out, Hannah called out in desperate faith to God making a vow. As her words poured out requesting the gift of a son, she offered him back as a gift to God. God quietly poured Himself into her soul, and Hannah realized she did not need children or the love of her husband to bring her worth. Hannah had all she needed in God. With Eli’s words confirming her vow would be fulfilled, Hannah again rose but this time joy overflowed from her heart. She walked up out of her valley changed.

Sometimes the circumstances of life can take us into deep valleys where we are in the depths of despair. Like Hannah, we also have a choice to make. Will we remain in the valley or rise up and pray?

Hannah found God in the midst of her storm. Her soul came to a place of peace as she understood the goodness and grace of God. Her heart was filled with deep joy. She had stepped into God’s presence, and whatever would come, He offered His loving presence and grace for each moment. Not only did Hannah experience deliverance through God’s presence, but He also chose to change her circumstances as He blessed her with a son.

God’s deliverance may not always look like you hope it will, yet He will deliver you in the way you need it most. Strength and help come as you trust Him to guide each step, even when your situation does not change. Deliverance comes when you step into His presence. As God fills your soul with His peace, joy will overflow. While the path may not lead out of your situation, His love and presence will give you strength and grace in the midst of it, and you will find reason to rejoice!

“Then Hannah prayed: ‘My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me. No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.’” (1 Samuel 2:1-2)