AWAKE BIBLE IN A YEAR APRIL 2
Read 1 Samuel 1-3
The manner of prayer that hit Hannah hasn’t been seen in the world as of late. Has anyone ever accused you because you were praying of being inebriated? Her womb was closed and her husband gave her a double portion for her barrenness. She was a loved woman yet, her rival kept provoking her, year after year. The breaking point for Hannah all culminated into a spiritual anguish of soul where she couldn’t take it anymore.
When Obediah or Obie as we call him was young blue eyed and tender he and Jonah and Jacy were jumping on the bed. We were listening to praise music and giggling, calling out praises to God. All at once Obediah in an overwhelmed frame says, “I can’t take it anymore.’ And I think oh no I’ve pushed them too far, too much hooping and hollering on the bed, too much of God being crammed into these little cherub children of mine. When suddenly Obie lets loose, at the top of his lungs ‘GOD YOU’RE AWESOME’! He couldn’t hold back, praise.
The prayer of Hannah hits hard and in deep anguish she weeps, forgets to eat, prays, and keeps on praying, her lips moving but no sound is heard. Eli thought she was drunk. ‘Not so, my lord,’ Hannah replied, ‘I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD.’ (1 Sam 1:15)
Psalm 28: 1 To You, O LORD, I call; My rock, do not be deaf to me, For if You are silent to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit.
Hannah prays in v. 10 out of her deep anguish, weeping bitterly. In prayer she makes a vow, (v. 11) ‘LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.’
In chapter 2 we get to listen in on Hannah’s next prayer. And we take note prayer doesn’t stop when the baby is born, but rather continues on in the giving of her only son to back GOD. She honors God and honors a self-less love we will see in full from God HIMSELF. John 3:16 FOR God so loved the world that he gave his only son… On the day she gives her (less than 5 years roughly about a 3 year old) boy to Eli, her prayer is from an elevated perspective. She exhorts us to boast in the Lord and yet to speak in total personal humility. She prays about roles reversed and she exalts the LORD. He humbles. He exalts. Strength doesn’t cut it, the MOST HIGH will thunder. Study this prayer in 1 Sam 2:1-10. What stands out to me, ‘HE WILL GIVE STRENGTH TO HIS KING AND EXALT THE HORN OF HIS ANOINTED.’ Samuel will be the king maker for both Saul and then later he is the one who will select and anoint David. David is the promised bloodline of Jesus Christ. In the greek Christ means anointed one. Christ is the promised KING! Hannah has a window view into the glory of eternity, the glory of Christ JESUS, the KING OF KINGS.
This is no casual prayer. Prayer is the only place I can take the struggle, the bitterness of life and have it transform into prayers of glorious praise and eternal perspective.
Samuel hears the call to come close and he does. In 1 Sam 3:10 Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Samuel who is born from his mother’s prayers will lead Israel into the time of the KINGS. Samuel is a prophet, priest, judge, and military leader for Israel and HE will define lack of prayer as a sin. 1 Samuel 12:23
