Tuesday, April 29, 2008

13: The Woman The Lord Remembered Hannah

1Samuel 1:19
Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord,
and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew
his wife and the Lord remembered her.

The Lord remembered does not imply the He has forgotten, but that He
is now going to bring His answer to Hannah's prayer and unfold His purposes.

Barrenness was the ultimate tragedy for a married Hebrew woman.
The inability to perpetuate the name of her husband and secure the
orderly transfer of his estate upon his death ( Gen 15: 1-4 )
often resulted in insecurity and humiliation.

Hannah's prayer ( 1Sam 1:10,11 ) as we saw last time, demonstrated the
proper way to handle situations over which we have no control.
She sought God for something only He could do. ( Ps. 34: 15 )

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
(James 5:16 ). Hannah's repetition during her prayer, stating
her position as a maidservant, exemplifies her humility and
dependence on God.

Firm in her conviction she worshiped , and the Lord remembered her.
This brought fruitfulness to her womb and removed the social disgrace
associated at that time with infertility.

Full, complete and final . . . when God does His work.

May we know this fervency, conviction and humility which moves us to be remembered by the Lord.

Be blessed this day!
God's blessing be upon our unity!

Psalm 133:1 Behold! how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

12 : A Woman of Surprising Purpose Hannah

Samuel 1:11 Then she made a vow and said," O Lord of hosts
if you will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and
remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your
maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days
of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.

God uses the burden of Hannah's heart to bring a surprisingly larger
solution to a desire of His own heart.
Barrenness was not only Hannah's condition, but Israel's as well, it was a
season of spiritual need and with little prophetic activity, (Samuel 3:1 )
God sought a voice to speak to His people.

Hannah could not have known that her intense intercession for a child was
moving in concert with God bringing her a son, but also bringing forth the
will and blessing of God for a whole nation.

As she entrusted the longings of her heart to God, He moved on her behalf, but also
advanced His larger plan through her a the same time.

Intercession :
reaching God with a urgent request Jer. 27:18
plead on behalf of another Heb. 7:25

With such a great calling, we,through our prayers for our child or even the intercession for other can be used mightily in God's kingdom.
This might inspire us to think on our families, health issues and other concerns that weight heavy on us. Take all your cares to Him, for cares for you.


A little concerned about how to pray or what to say, may our encouragement come from Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

God's blessing be upon our unity!

Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

11:Tenacity that takes the Throne ( Ruth )

Ruth 1:1- 4-22
Ruth's oft-quoted poem found in these verses is one of commitment not mere emotion.
She is clearly reaching beyond friendship to faith.

1:16 "Entreat me not to leave you,
Or to turn back from following after you;
For wherever you go, I will go;
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God, my God.
1:17 Where you die, I will die
And there will I be buried.
The Lord do so to me, and more also,
If anything but death parts you and me."

No where else in the Bible do we find a lovelier picture of a true and loyal friend.
Ruth's primary virtue is tenacity to purpose.
She was a woman who was steadfast.
Constant in her commitment to her mother-in-law, a commitment which is rooted in an understanding of the living God, of whom she has learned from Naomi.
(Ruth 1: 16,17)
Tireless as she gleans in the fields. (Ruth 2:7,17)
The result of this constancy is seen in her marriage to Boaz and the birth of Obed, who became the father of Jesse, whose son was David the King. (Ruth 4:17)

Moreover, since Jesus was born of the seed of David, we see how Ruth, the alien Moabitess
became part of the lineage of the Messiah. (Luke 3:31, 32)

Ruth's understanding the nature of God (Yahweh) is seen in the poem when she uses the words "the Lord do so".
Ruth's character of showing submission and obedience is needed by all who desire to realize the fullest benefits of Christ's redemptive work towards them.

May we reach beyond the things that may confuse our purpose.
That purpose being our place before God and all that our hands find to do.
(Ecclesiastes 9:10, Romans 12:11, Colossians 3:23).

God's blessings be upon our unity!

Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.