April 7, 2017: SOAP #2682: 1Samuel 1-2; Psalm 66; 2Corinthians 7

Scripture:  1Samuel (NIV) 1:27 I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.  28 So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life, he shall be given over to the LORD.” And he worshipped the LORD there. 2:1 Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.

Observation:   Hannah had suffered much ridicule because she was childless.  She had desperately sought the Lord for a child.  When the Lord gave her a son, she raised him until he was weaned, then brought him to the Eli, the priest, and gave him to the Lord!

Her prayer of praise includes the phrase: “I delight in your deliverance.”  It was indeed God’s deliverance.  For her, it was as miraculous as the parting of the Red Sea when Israel left Egypt.  It was a God-thing.  Only God could open a closed womb, and only God received the credit from Hannah.  God did this for Hannah in answer to Hannah’s prayer!

Application:  Any deliverance is appreciated, but that which can easily be identified as coming from God has special meaning.  It assures me that God is personally interested in me.  God personally acts on my behalf.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, like Hannah, I delight in your deliverance!  I am so blest to be Your child.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!