October 3, 2024

October 3:  Happy People.

The Joy of an Answered Prayer.
Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord.  I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation.--1 Samuel 2:1, NKJV

HANNAH'S PRAYER WAS GRANTED; she received the gift for which she had so earnestly entreated.  As she looked upon the child, she called him Samuel--"asked of God."  As soon as the little one was old enough to be separated from his mother, she fulfilled her vow.  She loved her child with all the devotion of a mother's heart; day by day, as she watched his expanding powers and listened to his childish prattle, her affections entwined about him more closely.  He was her only son, the special gift of Heaven; but she had received him as a treasure consecrated to God, and she would not withhold from the Giver His own.

Once more Hannah journeyed with her husband to Shiloh and presented to the priest, in the name of God, her precious gift, saying, "For this child I prayed and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him: therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord."...

The mother's heart was filled with joy and praise, and she longed to pour forth her gratitude to God.  The Spirit of Inspiration came upon her; "and Hannah prayed, and said:
                'My heart rejoiceth in the Lord;
                Mine horn is exalted in the Lord.' "
                --Patriarchs and Prophets, 570, 571.

                              "O Lord of Heaven's Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow
                       and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you.
                                         He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign
                               that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut."
                              
                                                                    --1 Samuel 1:11, NLT