Main Verse: 1 Samuel 1-18

Good morning!

Elkanah, a Levite from the region belonging to Ephraim, had two wives, Hannah and Peninna. Peninna had children through Elkanah, while Hannah had none. Peninnah would use every opportunity to ridicule Hannah’s inability to bear children just as Jacob’s wife Leah often did to Rachel (Genesis 29). The difference between Hannah and Rachel was that Hannah prayed for a child and wasn’t willing to do anything to upend God’s plan for her life. When it was Elkanah’s turn to offer a sacrifice, Hannah wept and prayed silently and promised the Lord that when he gave her a son to raise, he would be raised under the vow of Nazrite just as Samson was. The High Priest Eli observed Hannah while she was praying and, because her mouth was moving but the words were not coming out and she was crying, he thought maybe she was drunk and decided to take to task. When asked, Hannah told Eli that she was pouring her heart out before the Lord. Eli responded, “Go in peace, and may the Lord God grant you your petition”. From that day on it was like the world’s weight was lifted from her shoulders.

Hannah had every right to scream at Elkanah as Rachel had done to Jacob, and to do the unthinkable to get what she wanted; instead, she prayed and left it in the Lord’s capable hands unlike what Sarah did (Genesis 16). Psalms 126:6 says, “Those who go out weeping with seeds to sow will return with shouts of joy carrying sheaves with them.”. Hannah left the Temple with God’s Shalom in her heart, knowing He would not forget her (Proverbs 3:3-5). Today, many of you have been dealing with extreme issues thinking, “God has forgotten me”. I encourage you today with this word, “Commit your situation to Him and He is faithful to keep that which you entrust to Him until the day (2 Timothy 1:12, Luke 18:1-8, Philippians 4:6-7).

I.H.S. MK

Father,

You are faithful in all things! Unfortunately, so many times we get ahead of You, and because of it, we find ourselves over our heads in trouble. Please help me in every situation that is confronting me to trust in you with all of my heart. Your Word admonishes me to be faithful always and never give up on You (1 Samuel 12:23-25). I pray for my nation today that You will watch over and heal her again.  The USA is a broken vessel marred and stained by sin and rebellion. I will never give up praying for her because I know that the God I serve is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I am also convinced that even the worst stain of sin is no match for the blood shed by Jesus Christ (Romans 8:38-39). May the words that I write, the words that come out of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You (Psalm 19:14)?

In Jesus’ Name