Inspired by 1 Samuel 1:19-28
“And [Hannah] said [to Eli], ‘Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.’ She left him there for the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:26-28
Hannah was barren, and prayed fervently to God that she might bear a son. When her prayer was answered, she quite literally gave her son back to God, keeping him home with her just long enough to wean him. After that she gave him to the priest Eli, to be raised in full service to the Lord.
Most of us have prayed for some tangible thing at one time or another in our lives. And when our prayer has been answered in the affirmative, many of us have thanked God for his blessing. But how many of us have been so grateful to have our prayer answered that we were willing to give up the very thing for which we had prayed? If all that we have is a gift from God, and God has gifted us such that we might use our gifts together for his glory, why would we hesitate to give that which we have prayed for back into his service?
Let us pray. Gracious God, many are your blessings. Help us to recognize all that we have as gracious gifts from you, that we may use all that we have to proclaim your glory to the world. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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