Just a few days back I shared with you the story of Hannah. She was the one who was unable to have a child. Her heart was broken, and she cried out to the Lord. He granted her request and she was blessed with a son. A son named Samuel.
Now, let me relay the rest of the story.
When Samuel was weaned his mother and father brought him to the tabernacle to live with Eli the old priest. You see, his mother had promised God that she would dedicate her son to the Lord’s work. God kept His promise and Hannah kept hers.
“She said to him, ‘Pardon me, sir. I am the same woman who stood near you praying to the Lord. I promise that I am telling the truth. 27 I prayed for this child, and the Lord answered my prayer. He gave me this child. 28 And now I give this child to the Lord. He will serve the Lord all his life.’ Then Hannah left the boy there and worshiped the Lord.” I Samuel 1:26-28 ERV
The story of Hannah and Samuel isn’t just a fable that makes a good read. It is the true story of a loving mother and godly woman. Imagine how she must have wrestled with her emotions as she made the decision to give Samuel to Eli and leave him there.
Do you remember a time when you had to leave your child somewhere and it made your heart ache? Maybe it was the first day of kindergarten, maybe it was college or boot camp, it could have been at the door to the operating room in the hospital.
A sinking feeling for sure. Even now those times bring tears to your eyes and an ache to your heart.
Now imagine if you will another parent who was willing to give up their child. This time, however, the child was given as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.
“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ERV
Hannah gave her son to a loving God but God gave His Son to an unloving world. Hannah knew her son would be well cared for, God knew His Son would be hated and abused.
It’s important that we realize the great sacrifice that our heavenly Father made in giving His Son! We can’t take it lightly. He gave so that we can have life eternal.
He gave because of His great love for us!
“Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves. We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us. 7 Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is for a good person. Someone might be willing to die for an especially good person. 8 But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” Romans 5:6-8 ERV
Samuel was left in the loving care of Eli. Christ died for us, rose and ascended into heaven where He is preparing a place for us. But He left us with the Holy Spirit who provides us with strength, comfort and love while we await Christ’s return.
We are left in this world for the time being, but we are never alone!