1 Samuel 1 -- A Soon-To-Be-Parent's Prayer

God had left Hannah barren, but she had not given up on Him.  She remained devoted to him, accepting her condition in spite of the constant tormenting she suffered from her husband’s other wife.  How incredible it was for her to pray for a son and at the same time offer to give him back to God forever once he was weaned!  I’ve only had my oldest for 10 years and my youngest for 8, and already I’m struggling with the thought that soon they won’t be living with me!

 

God must have given her great assurances and peace that she’d prayed in His will, for she returned to the feast as a woman full of joy.

 

My commentary said, “Hannah was a woman of prayer and taught her son to be a man of prayer,” and later she would turn him over to Eli, who had shown that he was entirely too tolerant of his own sons’ sins and had allowed them to continue in their wicked ways.  My commentary added, “Just as God protected Joseph in Egypt, so He would protect Samuel in Shiloh, and so He can protect our children and grandchildren in this present evil world …  The story thus far makes it clear that the life and future of a nation depends on the character of the home, and the character of the home depends on the spiritual life of the parents.”

 

Father, help me to be the parent You want me to be.  Help me not to shrink from any discipline that You lead me to administer.  Let my life be an example to my sons, and help them not to rebel against You, but to trust and obey You.  In the same vein, help me not to exasperate them by being overly harsh and critical, Father.  Show me the proper balance in love.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford