Today’s Reading … 1 Samuel 1-14
The story of Samuel is powerful.
It all begins with the faith of Hannah. “As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk” (1 Samuel 1:13). This picture of a woman, grieving so deeply, that man could not even comprehend the outpouring of her emotion is not an isolated event. We have all felt pain so intensely personal that no other human could understand. Hannah, serves an example of strength in brokenness. She does not give up on God. She falls at His feet and pours our her aching heart. And our God, who can be trusted hears her prayers.
In response to God’s faithfulness Hannah exclaims, “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord. And he worshiped the Lord there” (1 Samuel 1:28). Again, Hannah’s example is profound. Many times, when we cry out to the Lord in desperate need, and He graciously responds to us, we breathe a sigh of relief and keep on moving. Not Hannah, she does not give up on the Lord in her time of need and she does not give up on the Lord in her time of rejoicing. Hannah praises God and gives him all the glory. Samuel, her son is a byproduct of this mother’s devotion to her God.
“The boy Samuel grew in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men” (1 Samuel 2:26). This child, for whom Hannah prayed, became a faithful servant of the Lord and the first prophet that God sent to the Israelites. Samuel was a child of prayer who grew into a man of prayer and brought victory to his people through prayer. Through Samuel, God provided deliverance from the Philistines, preparation for the kingdom, a permanent sanctuary instead of the tabernacle at Shiloh and a better priesthood (What the Bible is All About).
Hannah’s faith was her legacy, her prayer was her power. Samuel followed this pattern and was used mightily by God. A mother and son who refused to give up on God. In times of desperation and times of victory, Hannah and Samuel model for us an intimate relationship with a trust worthy God.
Lean into this truth today…cry out to God, share your heart with Him. He is trustworthy, don’t give up! Just as God worked through the lives of this mother and son team, He will work through you.
Love to you all,
Kinsee
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return empty, but accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it”(Isaiah 55:11).
