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 ache to your heart.
This morning I want to tell you about Hannah. She longed for a child. The Lord heard and answered her prayer and as a response of devotion to Him she gave her little boy to the Lord’s service.
“When the boy was old enough to eat solid food, Hannah took him to the Lord’s house at Shiloh…Then Hannah gave the boy to Eli. 26 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 1:24-28 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 take Samuel to Eli, the priest, and leave him there.
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 our heavenly Father made in giving His Son. We can’t take it lightly. He gave Him so 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
Maybe you’re going through a tough time right now. Maybe you feel that you have been abandon, left all alone – let me assure you that isn’t true.
“…for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” Hebrews 13:5 AMP
Our loving Father will never abandon or desert us. We can rely on Him!
