How does God relate to those who are childless?

1 Samuel 1:6-7, 10So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children. Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat. . . . Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.

1 Samuel 1:19-20When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the Lord remembered her plea, and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.”

Hannah experienced years of grief, frustration, and even public shame over her infertility. God’s plan and his timing were different from Hannah’s, but that didn’t mean God had rejected her or that he wasn’t listening.

Genesis 30:22God remembered Rachel’s plight and answered her prayers by enabling her to have children.

Judges 13:3The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and said, “Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son.”

2 Samuel 6:23So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life.

Psalm 34:18The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

God shows special attention and compassion to those who long for children but have difficulty conceiving. Although we may not understand why he chooses to give children to some and not to others, we can know that his love for us will cause him to bless us in other ways that will be deeply satisfying and comforting.