Hannah’s Sacrifice of Praise: Trusting God in the Pain and Letting Go
The Story of Hannah: A Sacrifice of Praise
“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 1:11
Have you ever heard the phrase sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15)? It’s similar to Jesus’ call to “deny yourself and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24), and I believe Hannah is a biblical character who beautifully demonstrates both.
Worshiping While Waiting
Hannah’s story begins with deep longing. She asks God to bless her with a son, promising that if He does, she will “give him to the Lord for all the days of his life” (1 Samuel 1:11). This wasn’t a casual request—it came from a place of anguish and persistent prayer. Yet, even before she receives her answer, she worships (1 Samuel 1:19).
A little while later, the Lord opens her womb, and nine months after that, Samuel is born.
The Unthinkable Act of Praise
Once Hannah weans her son, she makes the long journey to the temple. There, she places her precious child into the arms of the high priest—dedicating him to God’s service—and does what many might find unimaginable: she praises the Lord (1 Samuel 2:1–10).
She praises as she surrenders the very thing she longed for most.
Why? Because the Lord had shown her that He is what she needed most. Her song becomes a testament of unwavering trust, even though she likely didn’t fully understand the goodness that was still unfolding.
Samuel's Legacy: God's Greater Plan
Hannah's faith didn’t just result in a child—it ushered in a legacy. Samuel would grow up to be the faithful priest spoken of in 1 Samuel 2:35. He would anoint David as king (1 Samuel 16:12), and through David’s line, the Messiah—Jesus—would one day be born (Matthew 1:1).
Even though Hannah gave up what she loved most, God’s plan was far greater.
A God Who Restores More Than We Imagine
It’s easy to feel like Hannah’s ending is bittersweet—she gives up her only son, a type and shadow of what God would later do through Jesus. But God doesn’t leave her story unfinished. Scripture tells us that because of her faith, the Lord blesses her with five more children (1 Samuel 2:21).
And I imagine Hannah kept praising—in her pain, in her surrender, and in her joy. She likely heard about the incredible things her son was doing as “a prophet of the Lord,” which surely filled her with even greater joy (1 Samuel 3:19–21).
May We Sing Louder, Too
Hannah’s story challenges us to ask: Do I trust God enough to surrender what I love most?
Her worship was not conditional—it was rooted in trust. She believed in a God who sees, who remembers, and who blesses beyond measure.
Reflect:
How do you respond to life’s pain and heartache?
What might God be asking you to deny or sacrifice in this season?
Pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for having my best interests at heart. Help me trust You when You remove things from my life, and when You call me to deny myself in order to find You. Teach me to seek and find You, Lord. In Your holy name, I pray and praise—Amen.
More Food for Thought:
1 Samuel 2:1–10
Hebrews 13:15
Meet the Author
Maddie Miller
Maddie Miller is a lover of all things creative. Both art-making and writing stir her soul and ignite her heart, to the point where her naturally-serious self is grinning like a little kid. Inspired by the Creator of all, she aims to share Christ's light and love through her books, blog, and artwork.
Aside from being a Daughter of Delight writer, she spends her time painting, doodling, and adding to her list of self-published titles (two books are currently in progress!). To learn more about Maddie's various creative endeavors, you can visit www.handiworksbymaddie.com or connect with her on Instagram here.
