A Year of the Lord of Hosts-7

Psalm 46:7 “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”

            This year will be the year of the Lord of hosts. When we the say that the Lord of hosts is with us, we mean that we are not alone. We have an army of God right beside us. We the children of God will never be afraid of anything that comes against us. We have the Lord of hosts to battle it out for us this year. The Lord of hosts is giving us the divine strength to conquer all the issues in our lives.

Hannah’s preparation

I Samuel 1:3,7,27 “And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there. And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:”

            Over here in the above passages we see about Hannah. We see Hannah keeps some petitions in the presence of the Lord God. The word ‘Hannah’ means Grace. Unfortunately, Hannah was not blessed with the blessing of womb. But Hannah does not complain about this to her husband. She did not tell her husband about what she goes through in her life. When Hannah submits herself in the presence of the Lord God, she finds grace.  

            When we read I Samuel 1:5-6 ‘But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.’ we can understand the situation of Hannah’s family. In verse 5 we can see Hannah receives double of her portion. Since she receives all honor from him, she becomes prideful. Our Lord wanted to change her prideful nature. And it is very clear that the Lord God prepares Hannah to obtain the blessing of a child. Before, the Lord gives her the blessing of a child, he removes her pride away and then grants what she requested. Elkanah was a sheer example of a good husband, Even in our lives, our Lord God prepares us mentally and physically before giving us the blessings.

Hannah’s prayer

I Samuel 1:11 “And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.”

            We see here about Hannah’s prayer. Hannah prays when she goes through a toughest time of her life. Interestingly, Hannah who is a praying mother was blessed with Samuel who is a praying son. Every year Hannah will take part in the festival with the only hopes of having a baby. But that time of the year, the Lord finally answers her prayer. The Lord listens to her prayers and works out a big miracle for her. Hannah who wept in I Samuel 1:10 ‘And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.’ was given a blessing of child in I Samuel 1:20 ‘Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.’ Our Lord God is going to hear all our tearful prayers and we will receive an answer joyfully. The sorrow of Hannah was turned into joy as God answers her prayer.

Hannah’s Submission

I Samuel 1:27-28 “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. And he worshipped the LORD there.”

            Soon after Hannah receives her blessings, she fulfills her vow. Hannah surrenders Samuel to the presence of the Lord. Even today, Hannah is an example to the whole world of how one should never forget their vows after receiving the blessings. We read in I Samuel 1:23 ‘And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.’ Hannah surrenders Samuel with the consent of her husband. When she fulfilled her vow it became a blessing for her own generation. Even in our lives, our Lord expects each one of us to remain faithful to our vows. Let us not hesitate or postpone fulfilling our vows. Amen.