BE IN GOD’S PRESENCE 

We can’t dedicate something important to us to someone we don’t know. That’s why we need to know God, be in His presence constantly. If you don’t know God, you won’t trust Him but if you know God, then the rest will follow. This is what happened to Hannah (1 Samuel 1:2). Both Hannah and her husband Elkanah were devoted to the Lord (v 3). Yet Hannah was childless because the Lord has prevented her from bearing children (v. 5). She was also bitterly provoked by Elkanah’s second wife, Peninah who had children (vv. 6-8). You too may have felt the pressure of relatives at family reunions, or from social media about still being single, or childless. If we don’t learn how to love God more than our desires, the pressures of the world will push us to idolatry. When Hannah was greatly distressed, she went to the Lord (vv.9-11). She poured out her heart to Him (vv. 12-16). Peace, comfort, and clarity can only be found in the presence of God who knows you intimately, your struggles, what’s good for you, the decisions you need to make (Psalm 139:1-3). 

SET YOUR JOY IN GOD

Our tendency is to set our joy on our desires—marriage, career, money, health. You can have joy even if you don’t get the desires of your heart (1 Samuel 1:17-18). Hannah made a vow to give her child to the Lord (v. 11). She worshipped God even before her prayer was answered (v. 19). It’s one thing to make a vow, but another thing to fulfill it. But not so with Hannah—she made good on her word (vv. 21-22). Elkanah also worshipped God by dedicating their son to the Lord (v. 23).

Imagine Hannah’s worries for her young son as she entrusts him to Eli the priest! Yet Hannah was willing to not see Samuel for most of her life, as she has dedicated him to the Lord for the rest of his life (vv. 24-28). The more we fix our eyes on our desires, the more they become idols; but the more we focus on Jesus, the more we can dedicate those things to the Lord (Hebrews 12:1). The presence of God ultimately satisfies our greatest need and our greatest longing! When we realize that, then we can dedicate our best to the Lord.

THANK HIM ALWAYS

Thank God always, for that is what worship is: gratefulness to God no matter how He answers our prayers. We still do our part, but if God says “no”, we will still thank Him. That’s what Hannah did, she “exulted” in the Lord and affirmed the Lord’s holiness and knowledge because He knows better than we do (1 Samuel 2:1-3, Isaiah 55:8-9). Hannah gave examples of how God’s ways are better than ours (1 Samuel 2:5-6).

Even if we get what we want on our own, we are still miserable when we are not in the presence of God and are not willing to dedicate our best to the Lord (1 Samuel 2:7-8). If you are worshipping the Lord, He will keep you secure, but those who go against the Lord will be “shattered” (1 Samuel 2:9-10). God was preparing Samuel (and Hannah) for what he will do in the future—to anoint the first two kings of Israel including king David. Hannah did not know this when she prayed (latter part of verse 10)! That’s why we need to be men and women who will thank God for who He is and not just for what He will do for us. That is worship!

God blessed Hannah by allowing her to visit Samuel every year (1 Samuel 2:18-19). Eli the priest would pray for Hannah and God gave her other children even if Hannah probably did not expect that to happen (vv.20-21). Lastly, Hannah was blessed through Samuel, who became a most respected prophet in all of Israel (1 Samuel 3:19-20)! We dedicate our best to God because of Who He is, what He has done, and what He can do in and through us. And remember, God did the greatest act of dedication—He gave Jesus His Son to save us from our sins. As a grateful response, let us love God and dedicate your best to Him!