FAITH
Press In To Press On #12
Mark Geppert
Hannah prayed. Barren, mocked by her adversary, loved by her husband, she pressed in to God. Hannah believed that God is and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Going to the temple at the time of family dedication and worship, filled with bitterness she wept before the Lord in anguish. (1 Sam. 1:10)
Hannah had faith to discuss her desire with the Lord. She pressed in offering to dedicate a son to the Lord should He give her one. (1 Sam. 1:11) This son would be a prophet. His hair would never be cut. He would serve in the temple as soon as he was weaned. He would be revered as the greatest prophet by all the sons of Abraham. He would restore righteousness to Israel.
Hannah prayed fervently. Eli, the High Priest thought she was drunk for her lips moved, but no sound came out. He rebuked her. No stranger to reproach, Hannah declared her innocence and the High Priest, the keeper of the ark and the ephod, the one who could give a word from the Lord said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” (1 Sam. 1:17)
A word from God delivered by the person entrusted to give it birthed in Hannah the ability to conceive and bear a child according to her petition. The word mixed with faith gave substance drawing the child from the unseen to the seen. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. (Heb.11:1) It is impossible to please God without it.
Hannah pleased the Lord for she believed that He was and was the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Samuel the Prophet was sent by God to a woman who would follow through with her commitment to prepare him for ministry. Samuel would learn righteousness in his mother’s arms. He would hear her heart for God. He would be formed in her womb, nursed at her breast, hear her thoughts toward and dedication to the God who had sent him.
Knowing that he was sent by God, it was the child, Samuel who learned the voice of God and prophesied the transition from the priesthood of Levi to the King Priest (David) and the house of Judah. In so doing, the word of the Lord proclaimed the coming of the savior, Jesus. This transition spoken by Isaiah was the stumbling block which would destroy those upon whom it fell, and save those who fell upon it, for Christ became the building block rejected and the Chief Corner Stone of a city whose builder and maker is God.
Hannah, despised and rejected, was chosen by the God in whom she believed and into Whom she pressed to bring forth the greatest prophet. “For Samuel grew and the Lord was with him, and none of his words fell to the ground.” (1 Sam. 3:19)
Are you despised? Have you been rejected? Are you the first in your family to believe in the God who rewards those who diligently seek Him? Have you reached a point where you do not know how to pray and your lips move but nothing comes out as your anguished soul cries in words that can not be uttered?
Be encouraged, Hannah was heard as she pressed in to God. She was used of the Lord to change the entire future of Israel and every tongue and tribe. God is faithful. He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Press in to press on.
Mark
