I love coming to our friend’s place at the lake. I could just sit for hours and watch the water, observing God’s creation in motion. Each morning without fail, like clockwork, a crane comes and perches himself on the water’s edge. It is quite a sight as he places himself so patriotically under the American flag, hoisted on a pole on the point across from where we are. He sits ever so still, watching and observing. I wonder what he is staring at and how he can stand so still for such a long time. I wonder what he desires as he stands there- is it to rest, or a fish to surface for his breakfast or for friends to come along. Day after day he comes, same time, same place- just like clockwork! As I observed him this morning, he was faithful, consistent, and focused.
Watching, I thought about Hannah, faithfully, consistently and with great focus approaching God’s temple year after year, without fail, like clockwork. She stood at the altar and petitioned God to meet the greatest longing of her heart. Just as the crane positioned himself under the flag each day, Hannah positioned herself under God’s authority and petitioned Him to give her a son. Once she had poured out her heart and soul, her time gone, she left the temple trusting God to provide.
Year after year she remained barren, it seemed as though God had not heard Hannah’s prayers. Yet, she did not give up. Like clockwork she faithfully made the journey each year to the temple to pray. Even at the taunting of Peninnah, Elkanah’s second wife, who had born him many children; Hannah was faithful, consistent, and focused. She trusted that her greatest need, her greatest longing, would be met with the greatest gift, a son.
Sitting there, I wondered if the crane ever tired of the routine, daily coming to the same place, sitting, watching and waiting. Why does he come to this particular spot each and every day? Over and over, year after year, many must have wondered, why Hannah went to the temple. Why does she continually sit before the Lord petitioning him for a son? Can’t she see it’s a waste of time, a fruitless activity! Can’t she see that God’s answer is no- she will never bear a son!
Yet, she is there like clockwork, sitting, petitioning, praying, crying out and believing that God will answer her prayers. She knows that God, and God alone, can meet the deepest need of her heart. Then it happens! She conceives!
The crane gives no signs of preparing to take flight. He seems content and at peace with just perching there on the water’s edge. Without warning, the timing right, off he goes; as swiftly and assuredly as he came. Hannah waited on God, and when the timing was right, God moved and answered the longing of her heart. She remained focused, faithful, consistently going year after year to stand before the Lord and petition Him. When His timing was right he enabled her to take flight and soar in the assurance that He alone could give her what her heart had longed for and what she had trusted Him for – a son.
Day after day I petition my God to answer the longing of my heart in healing my husband from the condition God has allowed him to be afflicted with, but God has not answered. Lord, may I be like Hannah at the temple and the crane perched on the land just adjacent to where I sit each morning – focused, consistent and faithful, believing You, my God, to answer. Like clockwork I will meet with You each morning, crying out and trusting You to fulfill the promise You gave me four years ago. “For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds.” Jeremiah 30:17. May you find me perched under your Mighty Hand watching and waiting for Your answer!
Father, You and You alone know the deepest pain, the deepest longing in my heart. I trust You and I know you are a God who keeps His promises! I will not give up. Like clockwork I will be here perched each and every morning under your Mighty outstretched arm asking, petitioning you to heal the man I love. May all who are watching see you in all your glory and mighty power!
“Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13
“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God…” 2 Corinthians 1:20
dianne