Ancient Word Wednesday...on Thursday

Some of you have asked if I'm using a book study for the godly mommies. I haven't used a book, but I have spent quite a bit of time in commentaries. Blueletterbible.org has some great resources.

Okay, here we go on Hannah #3 - Her prayerful vow - 1 Samuel 1:10-11 (NKJV)

Last week we talked about the way Hannah responded with grace. This week I want to look a little closer at her prayer.

Hannah's attitude at the beginning of her prayer: bitterness of soul and anguish
Her approach before the Lord:

• Called herself "maidservant," a humble and submissive approach
• Called the Lord "Lord of hosts," which recognized God's sovereignty over her life

Her request: She was specific, asking the Lord for a son who she vowed to give back in service to the Lord.

Reading this passage brought up several questions for me. What was her motive in asking for a son? Parents who love Christ desire that their children live their lives in service to Him. But Hannah's vow to bring her son to the Tabernacle for life seems a little extreme. What brought her to that point? Was she bargaining with God? Was her request for a son an attempt to silence her rival?

One of the commentaries on Blue Letter Bible had this to say about Hannah's vow - "Now with Hannah there was a reason why God delayed the answer, and with us. If God delays the answer of our prayers there's a reason for His delay. Often times, with Hannah, the reason being that God is seeking to bring us around to His purposes. God was waiting, bringing Hannah around to where he heart was completely towards God, and the things of God, and that which God wanted."

While the grammar is less than perfect, I think the writer had a point. James 4:3 says, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." Perhaps Hannah was asking "amiss."

She undoubtedly wanted a son to raise in her home, a son to love and to nurture. But God delayed to answer her prayer to accomplish His purpose to refine her, to bring her to the place where she asked according to His will (1 John 5).

Now a type A person like me immediately asks, "But I don't know all of God's purposes? How can be sure I'm asking 'aright'?" It seems a little unfair. But God is never unfair, and He doesn't do things to trick us.

To know His purposes and will we have to stay in His word, studying it and memorizing it. That is where His truth is revealed. Then we pray and examine our hearts to make sure our motives are right before Him. And then we pray and we wait. God is sovereign over hearts, and He could have turned Hannah's heart much sooner. But He had a plan and a purpose and a time for her and her son.

Lord, teach us to ask according to YOUR plan!