As I’ve been meditating on the story of Hannah in the
Bible, her persistence, unselfish devotion, humility before God, and her resolve
to keep her promise to God have inspired me. They have also made me ask a few
questions, “Where did Hannah find the strength to follow through with her
solemn vow to give her son back to the service of God? How could she possibly
take her small son and leave him at the temple?”
 |
| West End Baptist Church, Halifax |
When our son was three weeks old, we took him to our
church on a Sunday morning to dedicate him to the Lord. As believers and
followers of Jesus Christ, we desired to publicly seek God’s blessing on his
life. When our pastor cradled our precious little boy in his arms and prayed
for him to grow up to know and serve the Lord, he also prayed for us as parents
that we would have the wisdom and strength to raise our son in the ways of the
Lord. Our church family also stood with us and committed themselves to help us
in this responsibility. We knew it was a solemn occasion and that we were
placing our son’s future in God’s hands. It was also a joyful time which we
celebrated afterward with many close family members. The most wonderful part
was being able to take him home with us and begin the privilege and joy of
raising him in our own home. Would I ever have found the strength in a couple of years to
leave him at our church in the care of our minister knowing I would only see him
once a year for the rest of my life?
That was the reality that faced Hannah as she cradled
tiny Samuel in her arms and lovingly nursed him. When the time came for the
annual sacrifices, she told her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take
him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always.”[i]
I pause to wonder how much input her husband, Elkanah,
had in Hannah’s decision. Despite his feelings as Samuel’s father, he fully
supported Hannah. “Whatever you think is best,” Elkanah agreed, “Stay here for
now, and may the Lord help you keep your promise.”[ii]
When Samuel was weaned, likely between the ages of two and four,
“she took the boy with her, young as he was…and brought him to the house of the
Lord at Shiloh.”[iii]
As she presented him to Eli, the priest, she said, “So now I give him to the
Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.”[iv]
I’m sure there were tears, hugs, and kisses as this
loving mother said goodbye to her little one. Did Samuel cry and cling to his
mother? Did Eli have to hold him tightly as Samuel peered through tearful eyes
at his mommy disappearing from view? I wonder if he cried himself to sleep at
night longing for the safety and security of his mother’s arms. Scripture doesn’t
provide these details, but as a mother I can well imagine the scene and the
aftermath. It surely wasn’t easy for Samuel and Eli.
And what about Hannah? It would seem from chapter 2 that
before she left the temple to go home, she once again offered up a prayer to
God. It is here we discover the secret of her strength.
“My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is
lifted high…”[v]This
latter phrase is repeated several times in the Old Testament[vi] and in each passage “horn”
is a metaphor for strength. Animal horns, particularly those of an ox or ram,
had many purposes. One usage was to raise the horn high in triumph after a
victory had been won. It was a display of strength and restored dignity. Hannah
rejoiced that God had seen her state of dishonor, humiliation, and deep sorrow
and had exalted her and lifted up her strength. What an encouragement to know
that God will do the same for each of us, in our own place of challenge, as we
faithfully trust in Him!
 |
| Near Burlington, Ontario |
Hannah’s prayer continued to praise the Lord for coming
to the aid and deliverance of those who are hungry, barren, poor, and needy.
She recognized that her strength came from the One who had lifted her up.
“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one
besides you; there is no rock like our God.”[vii]
I’ve learned so much from Hannah! I pray that as I
continue to face the challenges of my life that I will rely on the strength of
my Rock and the horn of my salvation, Jesus Christ[viii]
Until next Sunday,
Kathy
Thanks so much for sharing, Kathy!
ReplyDeleteAngie @ Knick of Time
How wonderful! I will show this to my daughter for her little girls to learn this. Thank you for sharing and thans for your lovely and kind visit. I have a Bavarian tea table if you'd like to visit me again, lol!...I'd love to have you for cake! Happy week.
ReplyDeleteFABBY
I treasure the memories of each of my three daughter's dedication services. A precious time. I always identify with Hannah because of her infertility. I want to be faithful to praise and Hannah, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing us to Hannah and the secret of her strength. May we be willing to give to Him whatever he asks. He will provide the strength.
ReplyDeleteBlessings on you and your family.
We each are call to be like Hannah in some aspect. All that God has given to us we must be willing to place in back into His hands and care. Visiting from Spiritual Sundays.
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts, Kathy. I've often thought how hard it must have been for Hannah to give up the precious little boy she had prayed for. I'm glad the Bible has so many faith producing stories. Thank you for sharing this with us on Spiritual Sundays.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte