Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Samuel’s Birth


1 Samuel 1:20

His name, Samuel:
1.       “Because I asked the Lord for him”, or like Ishmael, ‘heard of God’.  Both an answer to a mother’s prayer.  Although we can draw hope in prayer’s strength, but moreso, the focus should be on the God who remembers, hears and answers. 
2.       Hannah gave the name as a testimony of God’s favor in hearing her prayers. Whenever his name is mentioned, esp that time, it will always point to that day of God hearing Hannah’s prayer.

 Application:
When God’s answers a prayer, how passionate are we in giving Him the glory compared to how pervent we were in asking for it? How vocal are we in testifying to His grace compared to how many we’ve been asking to back us up in prayer? All prayers should end in praise!


His life, Nazirite:
1.       Whole life, all his days, will be given to the Lord. As a fulfillment of a vow, because of an answered prayer.  No consultation from the child, she decided for him. He already has a course to take.
2.       No razor will be used on his head ever, and he will live in the house of the Lord always. He was set apart. He will not have the comfort of parents, or childhood plays with his siblings, or family experiences to cherish.

Application:
It seems unfair when people (or God) decide for you. Having no voice, or when rights do not apply, it feels having no life at all. When nature took its course, or circumstances turned from our desired direction, the helplessness is disheartening.

But when it is required to serve as a testimony of God’s  grace and kindness, is it not worth it? When it will display His sovereignty and glory, is He not worth it?

God’s ways are better than ours. I’d rather have Him design my days, rather than follow my foolish, self-serving, short-sighted plannings. And instead of wanting my will done, I should pray to want His will done. Because it will always be the best.

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Samuel’s Birth


1 Samuel 1:20

His name, Samuel:
1.       “Because I asked the Lord for him”, or like Ishmael, ‘heard of God’.  Both an answer to a mother’s prayer.  Although we can draw hope in prayer’s strength, but moreso, the focus should be on the God who remembers, hears and answers. 
2.       Hannah gave the name as a testimony of God’s favor in hearing her prayers. Whenever his name is mentioned, esp that time, it will always point to that day of God hearing Hannah’s prayer.

 Application:
When God’s answers a prayer, how passionate are we in giving Him the glory compared to how pervent we were in asking for it? How vocal are we in testifying to His grace compared to how many we’ve been asking to back us up in prayer? All prayers should end in praise!


His life, Nazirite:
1.       Whole life, all his days, will be given to the Lord. As a fulfillment of a vow, because of an answered prayer.  No consultation from the child, she decided for him. He already has a course to take.
2.       No razor will be used on his head ever, and he will live in the house of the Lord always. He was set apart. He will not have the comfort of parents, or childhood plays with his siblings, or family experiences to cherish.

Application:
It seems unfair when people (or God) decide for you. Having no voice, or when rights do not apply, it feels having no life at all. When nature took its course, or circumstances turned from our desired direction, the helplessness is disheartening.

But when it is required to serve as a testimony of God’s  grace and kindness, is it not worth it? When it will display His sovereignty and glory, is He not worth it?

God’s ways are better than ours. I’d rather have Him design my days, rather than follow my foolish, self-serving, short-sighted plannings. And instead of wanting my will done, I should pray to want His will done. Because it will always be the best.