1 Samuel 2 -- About The Boys

Hannah had been distraught most of her married life because she had been unable to have children.  But she had never given up on God.  Now that He had answered her, she exclaims His praises:

 

“The Lord has filled my heart with joy … I am glad because You have helped me! … There is no God but You; There is no Rock like our God.”

 

My commentary said, “It’s good for us to begin our praying with praising, because praise helps us focus on the glory of the Lord and not on the greatness of our needs.  When we see the greatness of God, we start to see life in perspective…. There’s no place for pride or arrogance when you stand before a God who knows you through and through, everything you’ve thought, spoken, and done.”

 

So as we pray, it’s important to establish our perspective and to understand Who we are praying to. 

 

I always think of my boys as I read verse 8:  “The Lord raises the poor up from the dust, and He lifts the needy from the ashes.  He lets the poor sit with princes and receive a throne of honor.”  What a change He’s brought to their young lives from the poverty – both financially and spiritually – of a Ukrainian orphanage!

 

Finally, God warns us as parents about failing to help our children maintain their respect for the Lord:  “It’s tragic when a father – and a spiritual leader at that – loses his influence over his own family and can only wait for God’s hand of judgment to fall.”

 

Father, help me to raise my sons to honor You all their lives.  Show them Your love for them in bringing them here.  Remind them often of what their lives might have been like had You not loved them so and personally intervened in their lives.  Help me to guide them to seek after You and to trust You.  You are our God.  Thank You for answering my prayer to be a father as You did Hannah’s to be a mother!

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford