Monday, August 24th 2026

God has answered

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.” — Psalm 30:11

There was once a barren woman named Hannah who found herself in deeply painful circumstances. Scripture tells us: “Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah would say to her, ‘Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?’” — 1 Samuel 1:7–8

Hannah carried the pain of barrenness year after year. Her situation was made even more difficult by the constant provocation of her rival. But one day, something changed. Hannah poured out her heart before the Lord, and Eli the priest took notice of her situation. After listening to her prayer, he said: “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” — 1 Samuel 1:17

Hannah received those words in faith. She replied, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way, ate something, “and her face was no longer downcast” (v. 18).

Notice what happened: Hannah began to rejoice before she saw the answer. Her circumstances had not yet changed. She was not yet pregnant. Yet she believed what God had told her and from that moment, there is no further record of Hannah weeping over her barrenness. Her season of weeping had given way to a season of faith and praise.

Indeed, “in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, ‘Because I asked the Lord for him.’” — 1 Samuel 1:20

Perhaps you, too, have carried a burden in your heart for a long time. Perhaps you have prayed, waited, wept, and wondered when God would answer. You may have reached the point where the situation seems impossible.

But what if today the Lord is saying to you: “Go in peace. I have heard your prayer.” Then it is time to stop weeping and start praising.

Praise God not only for what He has already done, but also for what you believe He is about to do. Faith gives thanks before the answer becomes visible. When God gives you His word, you can rejoice because His promises are trustworthy.

Prayer. Heavenly Father Almighty God, I thank You because You have heard my prayers. I lay down every burden, every fear, and every sorrow at Your feet. Fill my heart with joy, replace my mourning with dancing, and give me the faith to praise You even before I see the answer. I believe that You are working on my behalf. Therefore, I will no longer live in despair, but will rise in faith and praise You. In Jesus’ name, I pray!