Blessing

I read 1 Samuel 1-2:11 last night. It describes the events surrounding Samuel's birth by Hannah. Hannah, one of the two wives of Elkanah, was a barren lady. The text says that the Lord had shut her womb. Every year Elkanah's household would travel to Shiloh to worship the Lord and offer sacrifices. There are many lessons that could be drawn from this portion of text, but as I read last night the Lord highlighted particular points that truly spoke to where I am spiritually.

As I read, I could not help but think how Hannah felt; Her husbands other wife would provoke her constantly, and being a barren woman would have been devastating. At the beginning of chapter 1 Hannah found herself in a position where she was longing for more; she wanted blessing from God. And with that said, I highlight three key observances from this story:  
A] Hannah sought God - she fervently pursued Him in prayer.

• Verse 11 of chapter 1 reads, "O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head"
• In her prayer she promised God her sons life in service to Him - I wondered as I read this how different her desires would be for her children if God had not kept her barren for all of her marriage.

B] God blessed her through His priest, Eli. (vs. 17)

• This makes me think of how things would have turned out if Hannah had not sought God in the temple.

C] She followed through with her promise in verse 11 by bringing her new son to Eli in the temple, dedicating him to serve God there.

• Hannah followed through. She remembered her promise to God that she gave before even knowing that she would conceive.

What got me as I read last night was that Hannah was willing to give back to God the blessing that she deeply desired for all of her marriage. Hannah could have kept her son at home, desiring to raise him and enjoy his presence in her home. But instead she gave this blessing back to God for His kingdoms use.
 
Our lives don't turn out exactly as we initially desire - It's easy to look around at others and see the bounty of blessing God has given them, but when it comes to yourself, it's much harder to identify the blessing. It's not until you get beyond yourself that blessing from God comes. Take Hannah's prayer (1:11) as a prime example; her desire for blessing shifted from a selfish root to a selfless root - she wanted blessing, but it no longer was simply about blessing. Rather, it was about the purposes of God. She surrendered and gave back to God all the blessing, even before she even knew if she would receive it! That blows my mind. Hannah's son, Samuel, was a forerunner for the Davidic Age of Israel's history. What if Hannah had not followed through? Samuel's life was significant in that he heard the word of the Lord, which at that time was rare (chapter 3). He grew up with the Lord. If Hannah had not been faithful in keeping her promise to the Lord I wonder what would have come of Samuel's life.

This reading challenged me, first in my approach/intention of seeking God's blessing. And second, in my following through when I see His blessing on my life - do I hoard it? Or do I allow it to go beyond myself? I believe there are ramifications in our decisions and attitudes. Especially in regard to our posture towards God. Hannah rejoiced in her blessing; she cherished Samuel, but her actions are distinguishable in that she was not selfish with it. She gave Samuel (the blessing) back to God so to say, understanding that Samuel (the blessing) would only have lasting impact if he (the blessing) remained in God's hand; being used for His purposes.

What blessings can you identify in your life? What has God gifted you with. Is it being used for His Kingdom? And, what is your posture towards God when seeking His favor. Is it a selfish desire, or a selfless desire? I have been challenged to examine my prayer life - not to be afraid of asking for favor, but ensuring that the intention goes beyond myself. To enjoy the blessing, but not to hoard it.

Blessings,
Nick B.