Fulfilling A Vow

Samuel was an incredible man. Prophet, priest, and judge. He led the Israelites from the age of being led by judges to a king and prophesied over the Israelites what would happen if they didn’t allow God to be their leader. Samuel even anointed the first two kings God appointed over Israel. There are many incredible stories of Samuel but one of my favorites involves his birth and infancy.

Samuel’s mother, Hannah, is an amazing woman that we can gather a lot of wisdom and insight from. She is one of two wives of Elkanah who struggles with being barren and unable to have children while her “rival”, Elkanah’s other wife, provokes her to tears. Hannah in her misery travels to the Lord’s Temple and has an intimate time of prayer where she promises to dedicate her firstborn son if the Lord will bless her. This prayer is answered and Hannah makes good on her promise. Read more about Hannah in 1 Samuel 1-2:11 where we can learn many things. I want to focus on how Hannah sets the example of fulfilling our commitments to God. Her example convicts me of the incredible vow we make in baptism. A vow that devotes our life in service of God. A vow that proclaims Christ’s victory over death. A vow that leads us to a new and transformed life. When I look at the inspiring life of Samuel I immediately look at the incredible obedience of 1 woman who placed herself at God’s feet and gave Him full ownership over her life. God did AMAZING THINGS through this devotion.

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