Verse of the day: 1 Samuel 1:27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has
granted me my petition which I asked of Him.
How often, in greatly desiring something, have we prayed
and asked God for that very thing and in the process of asking promised that we
would do something in return? How often has God granted it, but then we try to
bargain with God because what we promised we would do now proved to be too difficult
to carry out? Hannah, the Prophet Samuel’s mother was barren. Her desire was to
have a child, and prayed as such, promising God that if He gave her a male
child she would give him back to the Lord to serve Him all the days of his
life. What a great promise to make in return for receiving an answer to her prayers!
I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been for Hannah to carry Samuel in
her womb for the duration of her pregnancy; then be able to bring the child to
be left with Eli the priest to serve the Lord all his life. First, we see that
God answered her prayer and did what was humanly impossible; for it is God who
chooses to open or close the womb. Sarah, Abraham’s wife was barren; yet, God
opened her womb in fulfilling His promise to Abraham (Gen 11:30; 21:1ff). Our
God is able to do the impossible (Mt 19:26). Secondly, we see that Hannah is
given a son, who she names Samuel, and is instrumental in anointing both King
Saul and King David, later in his service to the Lord (1 Sam 9-10; 16:1-13).
Thirdly, we see a godly mother who not only keeps her promise to the Lord, but
makes a decision that is the best decision she could make for her child. There
is great value in a woman who is a God fearing woman, and a woman who leads her
children on the path to serving the God she loves, fears, and serves. Today, as
we celebrate Mother’s Day, I want to encourage those Christian mothers out
there to follow Hannah’s example and dedicate their children to the Lord,
giving them back to Him to use for His purposes. Pray that they will grow close
to Him, rely on Him, and serve Him faithfully. Lead them by example, and be
willing to let them go and find the path God has chosen for them. Too many try
to hold on to their children and dictate what they should do in life, when the
best thing a mother (or father) could do is pray that God shows them (their
children) what He desires for them to do. Our children are a gift from God; and
they are with us for only a short while. We are to be good stewards of all the
God has given us, including our children, and when the time comes, after we
have trained them up in the things of God, trust that they will not depart from
it when they are old, and that God will use them for His glory, as He leads
them down the path He has chosen for them (Pro 22:6). Samuel was a great
prophet, but it all began with an answered prayer, and a mother who loved God;
kept her word when He answered her prayer, and knew that the best thing she could
do for her child, no matter how painful, was to give him back to God.
Blessings.
ReplyDeleteThank you. God bless.
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