Warriors Arise: May 10, 2023
1 Samuel 1:24-28 (NKJV) Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. And the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.” So they worshiped the Lord there.
When the child is weaned she takes him to the Lord. Many have their opinion on how old a child should be to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord. That is not my concern. However, I do feel very passionate about the responsibility I have to bring my children before the Lord. Our nightly God-time is not an option. My older ones bucked against it when they were in high school and when they were at home after graduating high school. They would tell me they should be allowed to do their own devotional and not have to join the family. To which I would tell them, "I am not preventing you in any way from doing your own personal devotional time with God. You should be having that time with Him. Either way, you will not miss our family God-time. That is a non-negotiable in our house." It wasn't an argument. It was a statement. Several times, I have had to explain the role of parents. It is our responsibility to train our children up in the ways of the Lord. Then I can claim the promise that they will not depart from Him. Until our children move out of the house, even if they have friends over, we are going to have our family God-time and their friends will join us. The first time our kids had friends over when we did our family God-time, our kids were the awkward ones. When their friends engaged enthusiastically and without reserve, our kids looked forward to it.
Hannah is taking Samuel to the Lord. In verse 28, Hannah expresses that she is lending the Lord her son, "as long as he lives, he shall be lent to the Lord." I have to ask myself, "Have I taken my children to the Lord to be lent to Him? Have I declared for each one to be lent to the Lord as long as they live?" I pray regularly for each one of my children to follow the Lord, recognize God's voice and listen, making the choice to be led by Him. I pray regularly for each one my children to live the destiny God has dreamed they would fulfill. These prayers are not a declaration of them being lent to the Lord. They are praying from the other side of the coin, praying my children will align with what God wants them to do. Yes, I have dedicated each of my children to the Lord, they are all saved through confession of sin and belief in Jesus Christ. They are all baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. However, through Hannah's example, I may need to shift my prayers. For as long as my children live, they will be lent to the Lord. They will follow His lead. They will do as He directs. They will listen, follow, know His voice and see Him in action. They will be certain of what He is saying. They will walk according to His plan, because they are lent to the Lord. They are the Lord's. Just as Samuel was a gift from God to Hannah, so Hannah gifts Samuel to the Lord.
Have you ever bought a gift for someone that you really wanted? Then they end up buying you the same gift maybe a year later. They love the gift so much, they think you should have one too. Hannah loved the gift God gave her so much, she wanted God to have Samuel too; so she gifted/lent Samuel to the Lord. Have I given my children to the Lord? Have I really given my children to the Lord or do I withhold certain events to myself? Do I take my children to the Lord?
A couple of weeks ago, my oldest two came home to be a part of my youngest child's baptism. They were all early to church. They participated in worshipping God and celebrated the baptism of their littlest sister. When they came home, I didn't keep them all to myself. They know we are going to church. We are going to worship together, receive the Word together, and fellowship with the body together.
I prayed over my children when they moved into their next step of life away from home, but I didn't pray as if I was giving them into God's hand, lending them to the Lord. I may write them or call them and pray in this manner. I am compelled by Hannah's words and actions.
Father, I ask for you to receive my children. I am giving them to You. I pray for You to be active in their lives. I pray they would know your voice and be led by You. I pray they would know who they are to be and what they are to do. I pray for each one to walk in Your ways and honor You with their lives. I pray they would not grow weary, but actively pursue You and what You would have for them. I pray they would minister before You. I am lending You each of my children. They will follow you all of the days of their life. They will live to bring You honor. They will be set apart for a specific purpose to advance Your kingdom in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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