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In the book of 1 Samuel, we are introduced to a woman crying out in agony to God with a broken, desperate spirit. Her name was Hannah. She was married to Elkanah, a priest, but she was not able to give him a son. Childless, she was taunted by Elkanah’s other wife. Hannah went before the Lord,“And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.” (1 Samuel 1:11 NLT).
How big is our God? He healed Hannah’s broken spirit, and answered her prayer. God gave her a son named Samuel and he would become a Prophet and Judge of Israel. Samuel was called to teach and deliver a chosen king to the Nation of Israel. God would use Hannah’s son to warn the Nation of Israel that they did not need a king, but they insisted.
Hear the warning: “This is how a king will reign over you,” Samuel said. “The king will draft your sons and assign them to his chariots and his charioteers, making them run before his chariots. Some will be generals and captains in his army, some will be forced to plow in his fields and harvest his crops, and some will make his weapons and chariot equipment. The king will take your daughters from you and force them to cook and bake and make perfumes for him. He will take away the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his own officials. He will take a tenth of your grain and your grape harvest and distribute it among his officers and attendants. He will take your male and female slaves and demand the finest of your cattle and donkeys for his own use. He will demand a tenth of your flocks, and you will be his slaves. When that day comes, you will beg for relief from this king you are demanding, but then the Lord will not help you.” (1 Samuel 8:11-18 NLT).
Is God afraid of our mistakes? Not at all. God allowed Israel to have a tall, handsome, and smart king even though that would mean choosing to follow man over God. Despite the warnings, Samuel followed God’s instruction and anointed Saul the new King of Israel. Eventually King Saul would disobey God. Samuel was then instructed to anoint a new king, King David, an ancestor of Jesus. God would use the Kings to help fulfill the upper plan of Jesus and for us the everyday lower plan.
Have you trusted Jesus with your life today? Have you trusted Jesus with your prayers and things troubling you? Have you trusted Jesus with your mistakes? Have you poured your heart out to God? Take the time to pray, and follow the example of Hannah. Put it all in God’s hand.
Join us on Sundays at 6pm ET as we use the Story Bible to chronologically study through the Bible. E-mail us at: [email protected] for the zoom link and prayer.
We love you
Pastors Willie and Rochelle McIntosh
Do you need Prayer? Reach out to us at [email protected]
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