Giving Back to the LORD [1 Samuel 1-2]

 1 Samuel 1:10-11
"She was deeply distressed and prayed to the
Lord and wept bitterly.
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.”

As I read the story of Hannah, who had no children, I found myself crying for this dear woman.  She was tormented greatly by her husband's other wife, "
And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.  And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” (v. 6-8)

When she finally conceived a son she did not forget the vow she had made to the LORD and willingly took him to the temple after she had weaned him.  As I pondered this, my mother's heart was broken for Hannah.  Did she wish she had not made this vow?  She finally had the child she had longed for and now after a few short years she was giving him up.  I pictured a very sad and mournful woman as she said goodby to her only son.  As I read  the end of the chapter and then her prayer in chapter two I realized that Hannah did not have my mentality.  She considered this act a privilege.

"Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli.And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord.For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.”

And he worshiped the Lord there. And Hannah prayed and said,

“My heart exults in the Lord;
     my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
    because I rejoice in your salvation.

  “There is none holy like the Lord:
    for there is none besides you;
    there is no rock like our God."  (1:24-2:2)


I sat stunned.  I was viewing this as a tragedy.  Hannah, had her eyes fixed on God and saw it as an honor and worshiped God instead. What a contrast! 

Thank You, LORD, for showing my selfishness in my response.  I repent that my focus was all about me and how I would have suffered the loss.  Thank You, for the example of dear Hannah who rejoiced because she had her eyes on You and Your salvation.

There is no one like You.  None holy like You.  You are my rock and there is no rock like our God.  Cause me to rejoice in Your salvation today.  

Verna McCrillis, 6/12/2012
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Andrea J. Nevers Andrea J. Nevers 05/24/2020 11:16
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