Year of the Bible: Part Five of Twelve Sample

The Last Judge and the First Prophet

Continuing in the time when Judges ruled Israel and everyone “did what seemed right in their own eyes,” there was a man named Elkanah who had two wives. One of them, Hannah, had been unable to conceive for years; this was a cause of shame difficult to bear, especially since the other wife taunted her about it while giving birth again and again.

Her husband’s kindness and special gifts to Hannah are a great example to men (although he may have had a slightly inflated view of himself when he said “Come on! Don’t cry! Am I not better than ten sons?”).

But seriously, we can hear Hannah’s desperate prayer poured out through bitter tears of anguish over the years: “Give me a child, give me a child, give me a child.” Today, she may have been trying every new medical treatment available. However, one day in the Presence of the Almighty, Hannah’s prayer life went to a deeper level. Basically, this was her prayer: “Lord, if you’ll give me a male child, I will dedicate him to Your purposes for the entirety of his life.” The prayer was no longer about providing a child to help her move into her calling as a mother or removing the shame of her barrenness. Her prayer was now about a breakthrough for the nation of Israel, the kingdom of God, and the people through whom God wanted to shine His divine light!

It wasn’t that God had not been hearing her prayers before. It’s just that she wasn’t exactly praying what God had in mind. She wanted a child; God wanted a prophet! When her prayers aligned with the Lord’s desire for the nation and for her, the miracle was released, a son was given, and her barren womb opened to eventually have five more children.

Given to the Lord as his mother promised and dedicated, Samuel continually encountered the Lord, learning His voice, speaking with authority, bringing renewal to the nation, and being used mightily as the last Judge and first in the era of the Prophets.

Question: If you could narrow it down, is there one situation in your life that most frustrates you? Are there situations in which you have wondered if God is listening to you and not hearing your prayers?

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for putting myself first in my prayer life when I have done so. It’s Your kingdom that matters, Your will that I want to see done. So, in every request and every need, I seek the blessings only You can give, but I surrender the situation to you for the advance of Your purposes. I praise You that Your ways and thoughts are higher than mine. Help me hear and know Your voice more clearly, that I may be an effective vessel in Your hands to reach my world. Allow me to get in line with Your will and pray it into existence! Amen!