Anchor Devotional

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The Longing of Suffering

“In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.” 1 Samuel 1:10

Hannah wept for longing. Perhaps you know this feeling, too. As I write this, I am deployed on the other side of the globe, a world away from my family. We have been separated for half a year so far and still have a couple of months to go. We’re longing greatly for our reunion.

When have you longed for something so much that it hurt? Was it the longing for love, or for a child? Do you yearn to see a deceased loved one again? For Hannah, it was the aching desire for a child. She was barren and could not know the joys of carrying a new life in her womb. Year after year, she longed to be a mother, and she wept to the Lord. When eventually the Lord gave her a child, her tears were turned to joy.

God does not promise us that this side of heaven our desires all will be fulfilled. But our (holy) longings are not in vain. They remind us that we were made for things such as love and life, health and wholeness. And we are promised a day when faith gives way to sight in eternity with Jesus one day. All our longings will be filled to overflowing in His presence.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
1 Samuel 1:1-20

INSIGHT
The wound of longing will find its healing when we finally see Jesus face-to-face.

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Chronicles 29-30
Psalm 22
Mark 1

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