12/23/2015 Wednesday
1 Samuel 1:1-28 The Prophet Samuel
This reading is about the birth of the
prophet, Samuel. For many years, Samuel’s mother Hannah was very sad because
she could not bear a child. At one point, she went into the temple at Shiloh
and prayed to God, asking Him for a son and vowing to give her son to God if
her prayer was answered. The priest, Eli, saw her praying and said to her “May
the God of Israel grant what you have asked of Him.” Shortly thereafter, Hannah
became pregnant and bore a son she named Samuel, which means “God heard.”
While the story of Samuel’s conception
reminds me of Jesus’ conception, the way I relate to this reading is how God
answered Hannah. There is no indication in the reading that God spoke to Hannah
through dreams, angels, prophets, etc. Yet God heard her prayer, and His answer
was that she gave birth to a son. I’ve found that God answers my prayers by
showing me something or letting me hear something shortly after I’ve made my
petition, that I will recognize and understand to be His answer. For example, I
know that God has heard my prayer when Pastor Jen mentions something in her
sermon that directly relates to it, or when I am taken by surprise in seeing an
object, such as a rose, soon after I’ve prayed. A friend of mine calls these
experiences “God-incidences,” and like Hannah, I am happy when a God-incidence
occurs with me because I know “God heard” my prayer.
Gracious God – As we prepare to celebrate
the birth of Your Son, Jesus, please continue to hear our prayers and give us
the God-incidences that lead us down the different paths you have chosen for
us. I ask this in Your name. Amen
Arnold Schuff
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