Focal passage: 1 Samuel 1:9-11, 17-18, 26-28; 2:1-3
How many times in life have you desperately been in need before? I remember a few times I have been in desperate need.
Not long ago I was without a job for a significant period of time. I applied at many places and went through several interviews. Yet, for some reason I was still unemployed.
Even one month before the day I was to be married, I was still without a job. My soon-to-be bride would be transitioning away from her out-of-state teaching job after the wedding, and neither of us would be bringing in money once her school year ended.
So, I went to God in deep prayer in need of a door opening so I could provide for my family. I remember as the stress grew that God gave me a great peace. I applied for a job a friend of mine told me about and within three days I was working.
Here in this lesson we come across a woman named Hannah who was also in need before God.
Hannah desired to have a child, so she turned it over to God. She brought her needs before the Lord.
The great part about going to the Lord in prayer is that He hears us and answers. The text says He remembered the need of His servant, and she conceived a child. God was in the work of answering Hannah, even when she did not know it.
The result of the birth of her son, Samuel, is that she gives him back to God. Not only does she display obedience, but she praises God for the blessing in her life. We, too, should respond to God amid the blessings and answered prayers in our life.