If you’re struggling with infertility, God’s timing might not make a whole lot of sense. You think, wasn’t your body built to make a baby? Isn’t this part of your role as a woman to give birth? On average, shouldn’t it only take 6 months to get pregnant?! Today, I want to explore what God has to say about when you should have a baby by looking at Hannah in the Bible. In the same way that pregnant women have a “due date,” there is a “due time” to have a baby.
Hannah
Oh, Hannah! She had it rough too! Hannah was married to Elkanah and he had two wives – Hannah and Peninnah. But, Peninnah had children and Hannah did not.
“But to Hannah he (Elkanah) gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. (1 Samuel 1:5-6)
In the last post on Rachel and Leah, we saw how God opened their wombs. Here, we see that God closed Hannah’s womb.
**Again, God’s Word tells us that God is the one who opens and closes the womb.
“And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.” (1 Samuel 1:19-20)
There are a few important things to point out here:
- The Lord remembered her.
- In due time…Hannah conceived and bore a son.
In Due Time
What does “in due time,” exactly mean? By definition it has two meanings.
- Expected at or planned for at a certain time.
- Of the proper quality or extent; adequate.
So in this context, it can and probably does have two meanings. Hannah, at the expected time, or at the planned time, conceived. Well, she had been barren up until that point, but at the planned time she conceived? Certainly, it was not according to her planned timeline! But, God had a planned time; He had an expected time in mind for her to conceive! And when it was that certain time, she conceived!
The second meaning is that Hannah, at the proper, suitable, rightful, appropriate, time…conceived. The reality is that, we try to make a baby whenever we try to make a baby. Some people don’t even try. Some say, “I’m waiting for the perfect time to try!” While others argue, “There is no such thing as a ‘perfect time.’ You will always be ill-prepared!” But here, the Bible is saying there is due time – a proper, suitable, rightful, and appropriate time to have a baby. By our human standards, we cannot even conceive this! (No pun intended.) But, God in his infinite wisdom knows exactly when is the BEST and most SUITABLE time for you and me to conceive and have a baby! All I can say is thank you, Jesus!
The Lord Remembered Her
In the same way that God remembered Rachel and listened to her, He also remembered Hannah. Take heart, dear friend. God remembers you, he hears you, and he will answer your prayer in accordance with his will, and in due time.
Reflection
- Has God ever answered your prayer? How did he answer it? What does this say about God?
- Think about a time when you had to wait for what you wanted…was the wait worthwhile? In retrospect, what happened during that season of waiting? How did it prepare you for the thing you wanted?
My husband and I are almost in the TTC season of life and I keep questioning whether we’re ready to be parents yet! I keep coming back to the same thoughts that God will equip us according to His timing whenever that may be! Really enjoying your thoughts on this season of life.
I totally understand what you mean! I’ve taken great comfort in knowing that only God can really make a baby! So, even with my best planning…nothing can happen outside of his will! It’s been a huge weight lifted to say, “Okay God, when it’s the right time, you will allow us to conceive! Because we have no idea when that is…!”