Hannah: “Because I asked the Lord for him”

Making a vow is so easy for many people across the world but keeping the vows seems to be quite difficult. Every year, thousands, if not millions of people vow to be with each other in marriage. The marital vow differs in cultures and religions but the bond is the same. However, divorce cases are always on the rise. It is either one person or both couples are unable to stick to the vows they made and as such causes the marital union to break. It is very important for people to understand the weight of the vows they make. Politicians vow in most nations to take care of the citizens yet, nepotism, corruption, bribery and other social vices are on the rise in government circles. Doctors, lawyers among many other professions vow before they begin their careers but the vows are barely taken seriously in most cases. If it is difficult to keep our words, then it is not easy to make vows and promises. As we continue our study on Hannah, we are reminded that Hannah prayed to God for a son and made a vow before the Lord saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” (1 Samuel 1:10‭-‬11).

Hannah’s desire was to have a son and her commitment was to return that son back to the Lord. After their activities at Shiloh were over, the family prepared to return home. “Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her.” (1 Samuel 1:19). When they arrived in their home, Hannah and Elkanah did the needful as a couple. Hannah believed God will give a son and so her faith was translated into action. The Lord remembered Hannah this time. As a couple,  they might have spent several intimate moments together, but this time was different. Hannah was expectant. She had made a vow. God honoured Hannah’s request by remembering her.

So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.” (1 Samuel 1:20)

Sometimes the same routine is what God uses to glorify His name. When we are in expectation, we should put our faith in action. Imagine if Hannah had refused to have intimacy with her husband because she was expecting God to give her a son? The only son born without intimacy was Jesus Christ. Hannah understood that God will use what she has to bring her miracle. “So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.” (1 Samuel 1:20). The Lord came through for Hannah. Her deep anguish suddenly became her big testimony. She would have rejoiced in the Lord. Her Samuel was born. The vow she made came alive. What a joy! 

Hannah’s heartfelt prayer and the answer to her prayer should remind us that God is a prayer answering God. Is there anything too hard for Him? Hannah’s deepest pains were turned around because of an encounter with the Lord. Another lesson we learn from this story is that it is possible for good people to go through a circle of issues but the choice to stay in the bad situation is a decision they have to make. Hannah had a choice to cry and be pitiful about her condition. But, she made a choice to present her case before the Lord. Hannah could have just asked for a son, but she gave God enough reasons to release her son. When we pray, we should back our prayers with scriptures. God’s words are filled with lots of promises. We must hold on to God by His words. Hannah’s first attempt to fulfill her vow, is the name she gave to her son. God heard Hannah’s prayer and the child was named “Samuel”. 

Hannah’s prayer reminds us that God definitely hears what we say to Him. Today, go to Him and tell Him what you need. Remember, put God to task based on His word. Don’t just babble words, know what the scripture says about your situation. Then, go and do the needful. God will definitely come through for you. 

Ruth: The wife of Boaz and the mother of Obed

Ruth experienced a roller-coaster experience in Moab. She moved from a young and happy married woman to a young and poor widow. If her hopes were in her husband alone, her hopes would have been shattered. The only comfort around her were other widows (mother-in-law and sister-in-law) who were also in grief. Life indeed gave Ruth lemons. Instead of sulking about how sour the lemons were, Ruth made for herself a lemonade. She did not settle at the widowhood stage. She knew that life in Moab wouldn’t be easy either. Ruth challenged herself and moved to Bethlehem with Naomi. She knew that being a stranger in a foreign land comes with its own challenges. But, she was determined to brace Bethlehem and allow the God of Naomi  to fix her broken pieces.  

Sometimes, the only way to step into your destined future is to have faith in God. Faith without deed according to James (2: 20) is dead. Ruth took a step of faith when she followed Naomi to Bethlehem. Her relocation was very instrumental. While she remained a widow in Moab, she was of no use to the guardian-redeemer. However, when she moved to Bethlehem, she met her destiny helpers. In the previous post, we saw that Boaz promised Ruth that he wouldn’t relax until the matter of her redemption is settled. True to his words, Boaz met the closest guardian-redeemer at the town gate. Witnessed by the elders of the town, Boaz laid before them the case of Naomi and Ruth’s redemption. Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.” At this, the guardian-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.” (Ruth 4:5‭-‬6).

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.  (Ruth 4:13)

Boaz, being the next guardian-redeemer, took charge. He announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown. Today you are witnesses!” (Ruth 4:9‭-‬10). Thus Ruth and Naomi came under the authority and care of Boaz. “So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.” (Ruth 4:13). 

Ruth gained a home, a husband and a son. She received double for all her troubles. Many sons were born during the same period but the son of Ruth was different. He was no ordinary baby. “The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” (Ruth 4:17). The son of Ruth was the grandfather of king David. Jesus Christ was a descendant of king David. 
“This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.” (Ruth 4:18‭-‬22)

The blind beggar at the roadside of Jericho couldn’t see but his spirit could transcend to the ancestry of Jesus. “He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”(Luke 18:38). Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. (Luke 18:41‭-‬43). 

Naomi saw bitterness but Ruth saw a future and a hope. What you see determines how far you can go. Look beyond your pain, loss, grief and illnesses and see the good future the Lord has for you. Take a step of faith and move into your newness. Don’t stay longer in the Moab of your life, move to Bethlehem, that is where pleasantness is found. May God restore unto us a double blessing for all that we have lost.  Ephphatha…we can see victory in Bethlehem!

Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Few years ago, I experienced my very first childbirth. The process did not go according to our plans as a family. We had a last minute change of plans and this itself was a bit traumatic to me and my husby. I just wanted the baby out and he was so worried about the pains I was going through and the pains I will go through after the procedure. Thankfully, everything went well according to God’s plan for us. It has been a few years now but I remember every detail like it just happened a few days ago. I have treasured the experience and has become my testimony.

There are things we easily forget, but some experiences live with us. Whether they brought happiness, pain, joy or sadness, these experiences remind us of the Lord’s hands upon us even at our lowest point. Imagine being told by an angel that you will give birth to the Son of God. You will least expect to give birth in a manger, or have shepherds as your baby’s first visitors. Mary and Joseph might have been awed by the turn of events. But, even the unlikely turn of events was part of God’s original plan for the birth of His Son. As a lamb of God, the manger and the swaddling clothes were perfect depiction of Jesus’ sacrificial life.

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:17‭-‬20

These things with all the details were kept by Mary. She treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. As a teenager, she might have had the opportunity to hear the scriptures about the sacrifices to pay for sins, the lamb without blemishes, the role of shepherds in raising these sacrificial lambs and the need to cover these lambs with swaddling clothes. The young mother treasured all these in her heart. She kept them secured and now these things have been shared with the world. The details in the retelling of the Christmas stories recorded in Matthew and Luke’s gospel shows that Mary shared these intimate moments with the authors.

To ponder…
There are things we need to treasure in our hearts. These are the stories that have changed our lives. Mine is the story of my salvation. I treasure every detail in the story. God took a very timid girl from a poor neighbourhood and changed my story around. I can never forget such a great love shown to me.
What is your story? I would love to hear those things that turned your life around.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New year.