1 Samuel 1:1-2:21 + John 5:1-23 + Psalm 105:37-45 + Proverbs 14:28-29
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Old Testament - Today we begin the book of First Samuel! This is an amazing book of the Bible. I cannot wait to read about Hannah, Samuel, Saul & David! Below is an image of Samuel anointing Saul, which we will read about later this week:
First Samuel
Author: Unknown
Date: Probably tenth century B.C.
Content: The books of First and Second Samuel comprise one book in the Hebrew Bible because they form one continuous history covering the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David. They were separated into two books for convenience for reading. First Samuel deals with the Philistine wars and Saul’s ultimate failure to deal with the enemy. The book opens with Israel’s being oppressed by the Philistines (a war-like neighboring nation) and the emergence of the two early leaders, Samuel and Saul. Samuel was the religious leader and Saul ultimately became the king. Saul’s early victories are described, followed by his moral decline and tragic end. Balancing the decline of Saul is the rise of the youthful David who will assume leadership after the death of Saul.
Theme: The basic idea that pervades this book is that God does not make his people immune to the changes of human life, but give them grace to see things through to a satisfactory conclusion. The rise and fall of kings, times of peace and war – throughout it all God stays the same and controls human events in such a way that those who trust him will find comfort and the courage to endure. (Above commentary is from “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 5)
More commentary on First Samuel from Bible.org is at this link.
Here's a great quote from this link: “One might conclude from reading the Book of Judges that the problem was the absence of a king in Israel: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). In First Samuel, Israel will get her king. Saul, Israel’s first king, will be the kind of king the people want, and prove to be the king Israel deserves. David, Israel’s second king, will replace Saul. He is God’s kind of king, a man after God’s heart. First Samuel tells the story of fascinating people like Hannah and Samuel, like Saul and David. There is never a dull moment in this masterfully well written history. The book closes with the death of Saul, and thus the end of David’s flight from the hand of Saul, who seeks to kill him as an enemy.”
Bible Project: Here is a great video overview of the book of First Samuel!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJOju5Dw0V0
Below is a great image for First Samuel chapter 1 verses 24 through 28 today where we read: "When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and half a bushel of flour and some wine. After sacrificing the bull, they took the child to Eli. "Sir, do you remember me?" Hannah asked. "I am the woman who stood here several years ago praying to the LORD. I asked the LORD to give me this child, and he has given me my request. Now I am giving him to the LORD, and he will belong to the LORD his whole life." And they worshiped the LORD there."
Today in First Samuel chapter 2 we read the incredible Prayer of Hannah! In verse 2 we read: “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” This prayer of praise from Hannah really stands out to me these days. Oftentimes I think I “forget” that there is no one holy like the Lord – and I start to seek from other sources what I should only be seeking from God. I have come to realize more than ever lately that if I am feeling a strong emotion or need, I need to really reflect on that emotion or need and ask myself if God can satisfy or quench or dispel that emotion or need. The answer is always an unfailing and beautiful YES. There is no other person, place or being that will always be there for us – that will always be our Rock – that is perfectly consistent – besides God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. God is holy and his holiness can take care of any emotion or need that comes up in our lives. We need to turn it over to him and trust in Him. How about you? Do you sometimes “forget” that God is holy? Do you sometimes seek from other sources what you should only be seeking from God? Do you believe that God can satisfy or quench or dispel any emotion or need that comes up in your life? Is God your Rock? Do you believe there is no one holy like the Lord? Below is a great painting of Hannah and her prayer!
Bible.org's commentary on our readings today in First Samuel titled "The Son and the Psalm of Hannah" is at this link.
New Testament - I'm not sure if you noticed this unique thing about Jesus' healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda today - the man did not seem to have faith in Jesus or know who Jesus was! You'll recall with many of the healings we read about in the Gospels people yell out to Jesus for healing, or reach for Jesus' garment, and show some sort of faith or recognition of who Jesus truly is. Well, here in John chapter 5 verse 6 Jesus asks this man at the pool: "Do you want to get well?" And then in the following verses the man still doesn't realize who Jesus is and doesn't ask Jesus for healing, but instead frets about not getting into the waters of the pool where he thinks the waters will heal him. Well, come verse 8 Jesus says, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." I find this whole scene awesome and a great example of God's grace! Perhaps sometimes in our lives when we miss seeing what Jesus is doing, He will still often heal us or care for us! Even sometimes (though I don't think always...) when we seem to looking for the other "waters" that we think will heal us. Even sometimes when we don't ask Jesus for healing, he'll still do it for us.
Bible.org's commentary on our readings in John chapter 5 today titled "Jesus Heals the man at the Pool of Bethesda" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 105 wraps up the Exodus Cliff Notes version today, with a great closing verse 45 - "All this happened so they would follow his principles and obey his laws. Praise the LORD!" Indeed, praise the Lord!
Proverbs - Proverbs 14:29 teaches us today: "People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness." Do you agree with this Proverb? Have you ever struggled with anger? Do you agree that controlling your anger demonstrates understanding, and that letting your anger control you shows great foolishness? Will you seek only understanding in this area of your life, and let all foolishness go? Please, please, don't be this guy...
Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of Consumed by Fire's song "First Things First:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpTOcZN9JB4
Are you putting first things first? Click here for the Alpha/First!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "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. There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God." 1 Samuel 2:1-2 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray like Hannah prayed to the Lord today! Pray that your heart is rejoicing in the LORD today. Pray that your delight is in your Rock and your deliverer, God.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on my reflections above about the healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda, has Jesus ever done something amazing for you without you asking for it? Perhaps even when you were looking for somebody or something else to fix or heal something for you, is there a time when God's grace showed up on the scene instead and made the situation right? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
1 Samuel 1:1-2:21
Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife saying, "May the LORD raise up for you descendants from this woman to replace the one that she dedicated to the LORD." Then they would go to their home. So the LORD graciously attended to Hannah, and she was able to conceive and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. The boy Samuel grew up at the LORD's sanctuary. (1 Samuel 2:20-21 NET.)
The above passage blows my mind and I recognize that these are the Words of Christ coming to pass before the Words of Christ were spoken to His disciples,
And anyone and everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for My name's sake will receive many [even a hundred] times more and will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:29 AMP)
Hannah received a five hundred fold return. She gave one son to the Lord, and received three sons and two daughters. Her act of faith, and it was a great act of faith because she had no idea that she would be able to have other children, in bringing her son to the Temple when he was probably three years old, and leaving him there to be raised by a priests, who may have done a inadequate job raising his own, wrought her great blessings. Trusting God is scary and exciting; painful, giving up what our heart desires, and exhilarating as we reap a harvest of unimaginable bounty.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
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'So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.' John 5:16-18 NIV
It strikes me (again) how radical Jesus appeared to the religious authorities of his time. In John's account we've already had the clearing of the merchants from the temple courtyard.
Do our religious authorities reflect a distorted image of the Kingdom of God? How radical should we be in following Jesus? My wife says I am too radical. Is that possible?
I guess the clue is in the following paragraph of John:
"I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does." John 5 19:20 NIV
Hearing God - seeing and knowing what the Father is doing and joining in doing it with Him according to His purpose.
And if that is radical, so be it.
Andrew
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Hannah's faith blows me away. To be able to hand over her dream child for someone else to raise and only see Samuel once a year--that is faith in action. She realizes that he doesn't "belong" to her anyway. In fact none of our children belong to us--they all belong to God. We are only their caretakers.
Micah Girl
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I think we had some serious
discussion over this last time: Christ showing his compassion and love for the man that was unable to walk, healing him on the day of the Sabbath to the great consternation of the Jews. Christ has shown us that love and compassion is beyond the law. Indeed, LOVE IS THE LAW!!!
Roslyn
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I just want to say how grateful I am for this website. It has been my faithful companion this year. Around Thanksgiving last year, my husband told me he wanted a divorce. Last month we filed. we have two small children - 1.5 and 3 and I worry mostly about them, but this website has been my comforter and rock. I was determined in December that no matter what else happened this year regarding my family, that my Bible reading would be the one stable thing in my life and it has been. Thanks for keeping up the website!
Susan
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My Pastor went over this recently. Hannah's husband saw her weeping and said "And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?" My Pastor was joking about this being a typical man's response, like: you got me babe! what more could you want! haha!
Why did God close her womb? My pastor was explaining this, God was saying no, to get Hannah in the correct spiritual position. Hannah wanted a child, but wasnt granted one until she was desperate enough to be in the place God wanted, God wanted her to offer her son to the Lord so He could raise a king for the ppl. Hannah found favor with God so He said "wait" to her cries for a child until she was at the place: Your will be done. I will give this child to You, for Your glory.
Once Hannah was in the correct position, her request was fulfilled. God wanted to use her to provide the ppl a king.
Just like with us, God may withhold from us a blessing/a request, until we are finally where He wants us! A place that the delivered request will bring Him glory!
"In John, the pool with the stirred waters, it was something that triggered ppl's faith. Like the women hemorrhaging for 12 yrs...she just knew by touching Jesus; robe, she'd be healed.
The blog explained well God's compassion n grace, tho the man didnt ask to be healed . Another thing to point out, the man's condition seems to have come from a sinful lifestyle; hence, Jesus' response to him: "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”
Who knows why this man was afflicted, couldve been brought on by his actions. we today may suffer from a sinful action or simply be "innocent" but its the result of living in a fallen world.
Here's more proof for some of our religious friends that dont believe Jesus and God are one:
"that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him."
Jesus is infallibly equating Himself with God here!
I did struggle with anger, i hated it! God has dealt with me in this and i'm sooo different now. Anger is very hurtful to ppl around us, its not cool, its not admirable like sum of my coworkers n worldly friends seem to think, like they tell me stories how someone was messing with them. so then they got up in the person's face and told them off, cussed them out, knocked them out, etc. all that, i hear a lot and i just think inside myself, how foolish! A real man (or woman) will have restraint n walk away! how terrible anger is! ANGRY people need help, God's help, prayer, perhaps counseling. especially ppl with children!!! DONT TAKE MISPLACED ANGER OUT ON INNOCENT CHILDREN! They have nooo idea how bad children are affected!
We are to be angry for the right reasons, but yet not sin, and not have out of control anger.
Like i said in my earlier post, i think many many many ppl, the majority.. are looking for someone/something to fulfill them, fix them. Possessions cant, a love interest cant, ppl cant, only the Lord Himself living in us fully, can.
Jenny
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Jenny, (Long and just my thoughts).
The last first - "why wasnt God enough for Adam?"
I think this is because we are made in the image of God, and because we are - there are certain inbred characteristics or qualities in mankind that reflect the Creator.
One is "relationships". The Trinity had a perfect relationship before the creation - perfect love, communication, and fellowship. Mankind has a desire for this - non-believers and believers - because being made in his image it is innate in us. Whether it be through marriage or other people. The Trinity's relationship was in spirit - man's need for relationship is with other humans. God could have made another man, but his purpose in creating Eve was not only for procreating the species, but to show how intimate the relationship was to be with the God. When man and woman are together as one - it is the same as being one with Christ.
[Note: Need for social relationship is necessary for mankind. I believe that is why so many people get suicidal when they isolate themselves in depression, and why solitary confinement drives many a prisoner insane (if they are not already).]
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Ruth
Did not complain and accepted God's power and decisions. She went with Naomi knowing that chances of marriage and children were slim to none. Friendship with Naomi and belief and trust in God were enough for Ruth. Ruth never complained, nor turned bitter over the hand dealt to her early on in the Book of Ruth.
Hannah
Hannah is listed first before the other wife in the readings. Some scholars think she was the first wife, and because she was barren, by Jewish custom, her husband could have a second relationship - to ensure the coninuance of the line of Elkanah.
Note Hannah did not complain about the other wife (note that even Sara complained), even though she was abused and picked on by the woman. It hurt Hanna because having children was very important in Jewish culture (even if only one). The prevailing thought in those times was God must have something against her.
Regardless, Hannah never complained - nor ratted out the other wife. Hannah had bitterness, but she handled it in the right way - laying it at God's feet. Even her prayers were silent - so that the High Priest would not know the "problem with her". Even when he accused her wrongly - Hannah gave the high Priest respect.
Hannah was a Godly woman who struggled with her feelings when trampled on by Peninnah. But her reactions were in perfect keeping with how God wants us to handle these situations.
I think God was enough for Hannah.
Given her prayer in chapter two - Hannah knew and acknowledged God's power and sovereignty. By asking for just one son - Hannah may have been saying - 'it is ok Lord - I accept your decision regarding my life - but if you give me this one son - maybe it will shut that woman up'. She did not ask for many children and a family - just a sign that she was not barren. The child would be given over to the Lord.
In the end God rewarded Hannah for the way she handled her distress, kept her vow, her sincere worship of God, and that she trusted in Him. She was granted five other children.
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Why do people today need relationships?
For the same reason as outlined in "Adam" section. It is innate in us. But like Ruth - we should find fulfillment in non-sexual - non-marriage relationships. Then we trust in God and pray for Him to provide us with a "partner" (Like you do). Then we "wait" for his Will to be done. It may not happen, and then we have to acknowledge the sovereignty and decision of God. (Paul in Corinthians says being single isn't so bad.)
The key is if you are in fellowship with God, in prayer, in His Word, and are around an assembly (Church) of true Christians - your life can be full and exciting. That is where many people miss the boat - if Christians they are trying to find that person on their own. If non-Christians - they don't have relationship with God at all. Both of these would explain why the divorce rate is over 50% for Christians and non-Christians. When you go it alone you have a fifty-fifty shot of getting it right. If you wait for God to provide that person - chances are it will be for a lifetime.
John
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Praise God for His unconditional love and infinate mercies! God has done so much in my life, not just recently, but through out my life! I came to know God first when I was about 10 years old, how excited I was to learn that He loved us so much, He sent His only son to die that we could be forgiven our sins and become joint heirs with Him in Heaven! I cried to think that someone died for me and I had never met Him, but I knew then, I wanted to be just like Him. My parents didn't allow me to go back to church after that day when I had come home to tell them how Jesus died for all of us and we were forgiven. My parents were alcoholics then and didn't want to know they were sinning let alone were alcoholics! God has brought me through the valley of the shadow of death, healed me of many things I never asked Him to heal me of, some of which were breast cancer, colitus, serious illnesses, and restored me to sanity! I have been delived from drugs and alcohol nearly 36 years now and have never relapsed or had a desire to use them again, Praise God. He has taught me that when I draw close to Him, He draws close to me and that has taught me to trust in Him. I had two living children. When they were babies, I took them to the alter of our church and dedicated them to the Lord. I told God I thanked Him for giving me such beautiful gifts, but I wanted to recognize and acknowledge that they belonged to Him. I trusted Him with their care, including when my first born daughter died 3 years ago of an accidental drug overdose. Yes I have mourned her death, but I have moreso rejoiced in her living with God! He brought such comfort and joy to me that day I learned she died and it is still there. I can still feel His loving arms wrapped around me and the song He gave me in my heart. There is none like the living God, I AM! Yes, God has done more than just forgiven my sins, healed my body and mind, He has done so much more, He has given me life everlasting and I will worship Him all the days of my life. It is my desire to bring glory and honor to His name in all that I am, all that I think, do or say. I want to be so into God, that if any man does desire me, He has to go so deeply into God to find me! My entire family became Christians in 1968!
Dottie
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Dottie, what a testimony ...
Thanks for sharing!
Anger ... sigh ... one of the reasons I went to the alter yesterday evening during the service. Somehow I get irritated very quickly, something I pray for constantly, asking the Lord to change that unhealthy flaw within me. I have come to learn how to get control of myself when it comes to irritation and anger. But whenever I'm a little distracted, the enemy will try and get the flaws back into me. But since last week - when God revealed something big and beautiful to me - I feel a big change within myself. This revelation made me grow and I feel it in my character. I hope - and believe - that I can control my irritation and anger better from now on. It's not that I would yell at people or something like that, but to be angry from the inside is as bad as throwing it all out. Like I said: I believe I made a huge change since last week!
Mae
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Hannah's story always reminds me of myself. I had also been in a situation of fruitlesness for years after my marriage. I cried unto God like Hannah and He heard and opened my womb; today I have a beautiful two-year old...Surely there is no rock like our God. Just like Mike said, I still sometimes find myself seeking for help from friends instead of God....by His grace I'm learning to make Him my 'rock' in all circumstances and situations of my life. Jesus has also done a lot for me even when I have not asked...I live by grace each day!
Peace, Susan
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Hey Mike. I believe that one of the most amazing things that Jesus does for us is the continuing everyday graces and blessings through the normalcies of life. It's the small things that we more often than not take for granted.
Briggs
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My comment is regarding BSF:
I began being involved in BSF back in 1995 in the Chicago area. I now attend a group in the Atlanta area. Although I had been a Christian since the early 80's, BSF was the first place that I had done such in-depth study of the Bible. It challenged and stretched me very much spiritually, and that was a good thing. We have moved several times, and I have missed a few of the studies, and it wasn't always available where we lived. I have taken some of the same ones more than once, but you get something new out of it every time even if it is the same study. God's Word is living and active. I really look forward to taking the studies that I have missed. It is a wonderful way to connect if you are new to an area and that has been helpful to me since we have moved so often. You will find friendship and support. You will find a group who will pray for you and you for them. BSF has helped me to see things in God's Word that I never saw before. They have you read passages in other parts of the Bible and tie them together in ways you might have missed if you were just studying on your own. It has been a great encouragement to me in times of trials and helped me to have strength to go on when times were very tough. BSF is a shining example of Christ's love. It will challenge you and make you dig deeper into God's Word. I highly recommend it to everyone.
Laurie
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John 5: 6b-7 & 14-15
he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"
7"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."
14Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." 15The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
The invalid did not reply direct to Jesus that he wanted to get well. Instead, he was sidetracking in his own knowledge--no one put him into the pool.
After the healing, instead of praising God, that man reported to the Jews that it was Jesus who healed him. And Jesus's advice to him was stopped sinning. That man seemed to continue to live his life in his own way.
Frederick
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Today's readings (Old & New Testament) showed God's mercies to us, all of us.
1. To Hannah who fervently asked for the blessing of a child. God answered her prayers by giving her Samuel.
2. To the paralyzed man whom Jesus healed on the spot; the man waited everyday near the pool probably hoping for someone to show mercy & carry him into the pool to be healed. Although the readings did not indicate that he was praying or asking God for healing, staying near the pool day in and day out shows that he had hope for someone to rescue him.
God is a loving God Who shows mercy and forgiveness to all of us. If like Hannah, we truly believe and have faith in Him , He will be merciful to us. God shows mercy for those of us who are like the paralyzed man, patiently waiting and hopeful, though not verbalized (and probably prayers of the faithful interceding for us).
Now comes the reactions after receiving mercy from God.
1. Hannah as she promised offered Samuel to God. It must be hard to give away the child she wished for. But Hannah gave selflessly and gave Samuel back to God. In turn she got more blessings from God (3 sons and 2 daughters). How many times do we pray to God and thank God for His mercies & blessings, and give back to God?
2. The paralyzed man was probably surprised when Jesus healed him. To his amazement he did not even realized that Jesus was the one who healed him. When he met Jesus again, he forgot to thank Jesus. How many times our prayers are asnwered and we forgot to thank God and go our merry way?
I try to remind myself that God let the sun shine & send rain to all of us, not only to me but to everybody. This humbles me.
Lily
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Today I noticed the perspective that hindsight brings to a situation. From this view point it is easy to see the hand of God. When Hannah was being persecuted by the other wife to the point of not being able to eat I don't imagine that she knew she would have a son that would lead Israel and anoint kings. Her actions were motivated by faith; WE get to see how God's plan unfolds. When the man by the pool woke up that morning he had no idea that day would be any different from any other in the last 38 years, but Jesus was about to enter his life! Today when I read the end of Psalm 105 about Israel's time in the desert, it almost sounded like a fond memory. They were laden with gold, they had quail and heavenly bread and water from a rock, they had a cloud for shade and a fire for light. Here again, I don't think that at the time the people saw it quite that way.
Proverbs 14:29 says, "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick tempered man displays folly." I think that the understanding that leads to patience comes from studying what God has done in the past because it is so difficult at times to see what He is doing when we are in the middle of a situation. It is also important to look back at our own lives from time to time and note all God has done for us. This is how faith grows, faith that knows God is at work even when we can't see it.
Teriann
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
That verse in Proverbs today really hit me between the eyes. I've always been a very passive person in so many ways. Timid may be a better description. But in times when I drift from the shelter and wisdom of the Lord's Word I can become passive/aggressive. Holding back from overreacting in a day in the life situation. But without the Lord's power I am powerless. It's like pulling back the string of a bow and releasing the arrow at the strings most stretched point. The arrow will travel fast and furious. I recently lost my temper over something so trivial and can barely remember what the reason was. But my reaction was yelling, screaming, cursing and fist pounding (on the steering wheel of my car). Shortly after this incident, I realized it was a test from God reminding me of what we would be without His mercy, grace and love. Please pray for me that I will be mindful of this and not wander from God's Word and fellowship.
Thank you friends,
James
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I enjoy the artwork in the blog each day, but the image of Hannah giving Samuel to the Lord really got to me. Hannah loved her only child, but her love for the Lord was even stronger.
Judie
I have a genuine Question, I really want the answer to, please anyone respond here or to me personally.
from the blog:
"and I start to seek from other sources what I should only be seeking from God. I have come to realize more than ever lately that if I am feeling a strong emotion or need, I need to really reflect on that emotion or need and ask myself if God can satisfy or quench or dispel that emotion or need. The answer is always an unfailing and beautiful YES. There is no other person, place or being that will always be there for us – that will always be our Rock – that is perfectly consistent – besides God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit."
My Q:
I fully agree that God can fulfill every need we have, emotional, physical, spiritual, etc.
So, why was Hannah so desperate for a baby? Why isnt God enough? Why are so many Christians desperate for marriage or children? Is it cause they are not allowing God to fulfill that need? I see so many of my friends, relatives, soooo desperate for a partner, they arent ok alone, many settle for ppl they shouldnt. I too have been really wanting/needing someone for most my life, but God has said no or wait and i'm allowing God to fulfill that need. I'm probly not going get married ever, which i have accepted. I know God gave us marriage and wants us to procreate and has a great purpose for marriage, children. But why isnt God enough for so many ppl it seems? I'm not being facetious or putting marriage/family down at all! I know Adam was lonely so He gave him woman...tho why wasnt God enough for Adam? i really just am curious! Any input is appreciated!