Thursday, May 7

THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015

1 Samuel 1:1–2:21

John 5:1–23

Psalm 105:37–45

Proverbs 14:28,29

 

 

1 Samuel opens at the tail end of the tumultuous period described in the last several chapters of Judges.  As with the story of Ruth, the story of Samuel’s birth and his rise as prophet speak to the ability of righteous men and women to make a difference in a challenging environment that has turned away from exalting God as King.

 

In the story of Hannah, we find a humble, gentle servant who diligently seeks God’s face during her time of infertility.  She dedicates her firstborn to the Lord’s service in her vow (1 Samuel 1:11), to become a Nazirite dedicated to purity.  As she poured out her heart before the Lord, her deep emotion caused her lips to quiver.  Observing her, Eli demanded that she stop her drunkenness.  Just this reference to a drunken person in front of the Lord’s presence highlights the shallow commitment to God that marked this era in Israel’s history.

 

God ultimately honors Hannah’s sincerity and faithfulness, and she appropriately names her son Samuel (“heard of God”), remarking, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”  While we may seek God’s blessing for our personal benefits, Hannah’s attitude of seeking to “partner with” God in His work provides an excellent role model for us.  Her husband Elkanah wisely allows Hannah to honor the promise that she has made before the Lord.  Eli then receives encouragement from hearing this testimony of God’s faithfulness, too, as Hannah presented Samuel before the Lord.

 

Hannah’s beautiful prayer contains wonderful descriptions of the sovereign power and authority of our God the King.  Her faith stands apart from this time when “Israel had no kind; everyone did as he saw fit.” (Judges 17:6)  May her declaration and trust in God’s faithfulness become ours:

 

“There is no one holy like the Lord;

    there is no one besides you;

    there is no Rock like our God.”

 

“The Lord brings death and makes alive;
    he brings down to the grave and raises up.
The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
    he humbles and he exalts.
He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
    and has them inherit a throne of honor.

 

For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;
    on them he has set the world.
He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,
    but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.” (1 Samuel 2:2,6–9)

 

 

Lord God, we humbly seek You as Hannah did.  Help us to partner with You in Your Kingdom work – not for our glory, but to the glory of Your Name.  Allow us to have our desires transformed in Your presence, and then grant us the desires of our hearts.  We love You and thank You for Your encouraging presence with us.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

 

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