1 Samuel 1:6-7...Stay the Course...

Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.

Hannah had been worn down and provoked more than she could bare. She took her problem to the Lord, the appropriate place to lay our burdens, and prayed that He grant her a son for her husband Elkanah. She promised to give that very son to the Lord and have him trained in the service of the Lord. Hannah was firm in her commitment and she gave her son Samuel over to Eli to become a servant of the Lord, the very son she had longed for and needed in her life. God honored her commitment by giving her more sons and daughters. Are we committed to seeking after God for our needs? Are we willing to sacrifice those same needs for His service? We live in a self gratifying culture that teaches us exactly the opposite. It promotes gaining more and more for our benefit, and sharing with no one. The world is looking at us carefully these days to see how much we can be provoked. Let’s be certain to follow Hannah and give our request to God who has everything under His control.

Blessings,

Alan B Conner