The precious picture of Salvation ends with joy. Oh the joy that fills our souls when we come to know Jesus and His promise of spending eternity with Him! Hannah’s joy was evident in the prayer that bears her name which was written for us. “My heart rejoices in the Lord!” “There is no one holy like the Lord!” “There is no Rock like our God!” Amen and Amen!! While studying the life of Hannah I discovered a little nugget that I had never seen before. My heart went out to her being separated from her son for all those years. Then I read that later when Samuel was serving…

The precious picture of Salvation continues as Hannah experiences the Peace of God. Her story tells us that when she left the tabernacle, after pouring her heart out to the Lord, she was no longer downcast. Her circumstances hadn’t changed but her entire outlook had changed and she was at peace. When we leave our burdens in God’s hands, He will also give us peace – perhaps peace that our request is answered or just peace that everything will be okay. Whichever the case, it will be a peace that is beyond our understanding. God’s peace assures us that He is in control. It is the same with salvation. When…

Hannah’s story is a reflection of the precious picture of Salvation and it all begins with grace. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10) When Hannah put her trust in the Lord and believed, she was able to leave her burdens in His capable hands and live her life with a new confidence found only in Him. God had been preparing Hannah all along to do the work He had…

Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. One night as Samuel was lying down in his usual place, the Lord called to him. He answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go…

Despite the ungodly influences of Eli’s sons, Samuel continued to minister before the Lord. Each year Hannah made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband for the annual sacrifice. Eli would bless Elkanah and Hannah, saying, “May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord.” Then they would go home. And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord. (1 Samuel 2:20-21) God often blesses us in…

Samuel was a young boy somewhere between the ages of three and five years old when he began ministering before the Lord. In those few short years Hannah was given the opportunity to teach him all she could about trusting God, praying and dealing with people. All of which would become necessary as he grew in his position as a priest of the Lord. Eli’s two sons were priests and scoundrels who had no regard for the Lord. They took advantage of their position to satisfy their lust for power, sex, possessions and control. Their evil ways contrasted sharply with the attitude and values that Hannah had taught Samuel. Eli…

Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy (Samuel) ministered before the Lord under Eli the priest. (1 Samuel 2: 11) Hannah had fulfilled her promise to the Lord and her son’s ministry was about to begin. Samuel “ministered before the Lord under Eli the priest.” In other words, Samuel was Eli’s helper or assistant. Some of his responsibilities would have included opening the tabernacle entrances each morning, cleaning the furniture and sweeping the floors. As he grew older, he would assist Eli in offering sacrifices. Wearing a special linen ephod showed that he was a priest-in-training. Because Samuel was Eli’s helper, he was God’s helper too. When we…

Hannah concludes her prayer by acknowledging that God is the Supreme Judge who administers perfect justice. Her prayer testifies that she believed her redeemer would come and reign in power and righteousness. “He protects his holy people.    He keeps them from stumbling.But evil people will be destroyed.    They will fall in the darkness.    Their power won’t help them win. The Lord destroys his enemies.    God Most High will thunder in heaven against people.The Lord will judge even the lands that are far away.    He will give power to his king.    He will make his Anointed One strong.” Knowing that God is the Supreme Judge helps us put both the world and personal events in perspective. Hannah recognized that God was protecting her…

Sovereign is defined as a person who has supreme power or authority. In Hannah’s prayer she acknowledged that God was the One and Only authority in her life. “The Lord brings death and makes alive;    he brings down to the grave and raises up. The Lord sends poverty and wealth;    he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust    and lifts the needy from the ash heap;he seats them with princes    and has them inherit a throne of honor.” “For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;    on them he has set the world.” There is a beautiful peace that can only be experienced when you truly believe that God is sovereign over everything. That He has full authority and and control.…