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Today is Thursday April 2, 2009 and we are beginning our studies on the book of I Samuel. Please read chapters 1-3 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this link into your browser: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Samuel%201-3&version=9

style="text-decoration: underline;">Today's Message: First Desire
When our first desire is to allow God to use our lives to fulfill His will, all the necessities of life shall be provided.

The book of I Samuel is the ninth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains thirty-one chapters. The author of the book is Samuel and it was written to the Israelites. The purpose of the book was to continue to record God's dealing with His people. What we are to learn from the book is that obedience to God is more important than sacrifice.

Toward the end of the period of the Judges, we are introduced to Hannah, a godly woman who had lived many years in deep sorrow and humiliation because she could not have children. "Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children." (I Samuel 1:1-2).

Since the Hebrew culture considered this a disgrace each year she went up to the house of the Lord weeping and being provoked by her adversary, Peninnah. "And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. 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. Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons? So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. 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." (1:6-11).

Although she was wrongfully accused, Hannah did not become angry, but graciously answered Eli. "And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him." (1:15-17). It was Eli's responsibility to rebuke those who did evil. In this case, Eli's misjudgment was truly a test of the genuineness of Hannah's humility. Had she reacted in indignation and anger toward Eli for being so judgmental she would have returned home with a bitter attitude.

God answered Hannah's prayer and her son Samuel became the greatest spiritual leader during the 400-year period of the judges and united the tribes of Israel into one nation. "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." (1:20).

Hannah lived centuries before the New Testament experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit; and yet we see her maintaining a godly attitude while being rebuked. The acceptance of such an undeserved rebuke in a right spirit often brings an answer to our prayers, for it shows our heart is in a right relationship with God. Because of her godliness she was blessed with five more children. "And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home. And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD." (2:20-21).

Just remember that when our first desire is to allow God to use our lives to fulfill His will, all the necessities of life shall be provided. The one who is intent on living for physical satisfaction is never satisfied. For we were created to let Christ be Lord of our lives. "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." (John 6:35).

Today's Psalm: 63:1
"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;"

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
We thank You for Your marvelous grace that was poured out in the sacrificial death of Your Son and is made available to all for salvation from sin.  You want all men and women, boys and girls to be saved and come to knowledge of the truth.  We're grateful for those You raise up to be arms of compassion and instruments of blessing to others in the body of Christ and to those still clinging to the world.  Whether we were protected from the ravages of sin or we are experiencing Your restoring grace we thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given us strength; that He considered us faithful, appointing us to be His servants for the furtherance of the Gospel. In Jesus' Name.........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed night/day.
God Bless You,
Christina

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