Answered Prayers

I prayed for this boy, and since the Lord gave me what I asked Him for, I now give the boy to the Lord. For as long as he lives he is given to the Lord: Then he bowed in worship to the Lord there. 1 Samuel 1:27-28 HCSB

God has answered so many of my prayers and blessed me in so many ways. My daughters and daughter-in-law each had complications with their pregnancies. I prayed faithfully for them and for my grandchildren, asking God to bring healthy babies into the world and that the mothers would have an easy delivery. God has blessed me with five wonderful and healthy grandchildren, three years of age and younger. This is just one example of how God has answered my prayers.

Hannah affirmed that she prayed that the Lord would give her a son and that God had answered that prayer with the birth of Samuel. Sometimes we are surprised that God answers our prayers. At other times we wonder why God has not answered our prayers. God answers prayers with three answers: yes, no, and wait. Too many times when we get the answer of “no” or “wait” we feel that God has not answered, when in fact He has answered but perhaps not in the manner we had hoped.

Challenge: Present your requests before the Lord. Accept the answers of “no” and “wait”. If God says, “No” then he has something better for you. If He says, “Wait,” then the timing is not right and you need to be patient and wait for God’s answer in God’s time. Always pray that God’s will be done in every situation.

Getting Over Depression

Eli responded, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the petition you’ve requested from Him.” “May your servant find favor with you,” she replied. Then Hannah went on her way; she ate and no longer looked despondent. 1 Samuel 1:17-18 HCSB

The Depression Bipolar Support Alliance reports that depression affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the United States population age 18 and older in a given year. Depression can develop at any age with the median age of onset at 32. Depression is more prevalent in women than in men. As many as one in 33 children and one in 8 adolescents have depression. People with depression are four times more likely to develop a heart attack than those without a history of the illness.

Hannah had been depressed because of her inability to have children, and especially a son. Evidently her depression had caused her to stop eating. This Scripture tells us that she ate and no longer looked despondent. The antidote for her discouragement and depression was to tell God how she really felt and then leave her problem with Him. She also got some sound counsel and encouragement from Eli.

Challenge: Are you feeling depressed? You are not alone. Many people suffer from depression. Turn your problems over to God and allow Him to take care of them. Seek sound counsel from those who can offer encouragement and help you to overcome your depression.

Be Careful What You Promise

Making a vow, she pleaded, “Lord of Hosts, if You will take notice of Your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give Your servant a son, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut. 1 Samuel 1:11 HCSB

If someone were to ask you to recall the best advice you have ever received, what would you say? In my case I would think of my dad telling me, “You are only as good as your word.” In other words, if a person says he is going to do something, he needs to follow through and actually do it. If he fails to keep his word or promise, others will never know if they can trust him to actually do what he says he will do. Keeping a promise is very important.

Hannah was desperate to have a child, especially a son. In her desperation she struck a deal with God, promising to give her son to serve the Lord all the days of his life. God took her up on her promise. To Hannah’s credit she followed through and gave her son, Samuel, to serve in the Lords’ house under Eli’s supervision and instruction. It was hard for her to give him up but she followed through with what she said she was going to do regardless of the cost.

Challenge: Be careful what you promise to others and especially what you promise to God. He may take you up on your promise. Too many times people make a promise to God in desperation to get something or have a problem solved, but once the need for God’s help has disappeared, they forget what they have promised. It is dishonest to fail to keep one’s word. God is trustworthy and always keeps His promises and He expects you to do the same.