Bible Pathway - April 1

Read 1 Samuel 1

Highlights:

WOW!! We learn three powerful truths. 1. Hannah prays ; 2 God rewards her vow; 3 God requires parents to discipline their children in love.

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head (1 Sam. 1:11).

Elkanah and Hannah had been unable to conceive a child. In Biblical times to be childless was considered to be a reproach (Gen. 16:4; Luke 1:24-25). When faced with the situation of Elkanah's other wife and her children, Hannah was filled with a sense of shame and failure (1:2-10). She turned to God

Hannah made a vow that if God would give her a son then she would dedicate him to God. This dedication was far beyond what we think about today as we dedicate a child to the Lord. She made a promise that the child would serve God all the days of his life. She even committed him to the Nazarite vow (Numbers 6).

Hannah was faithful to keep her promise to God. How often today do we make promises to God that we do not fulfill? We often treat these promises like they are some new year's resolution. We might say "well I tried" and think that was enough. God takes promises seriously. He keeps all His promises. There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass (Josh. 22:45).

The Word of God is full of promises made to us. God is always faithful to deliver whatever He has promised. He is incapable of breaking any commitment made in His Word. It will continue on forever and unchanging. But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you (1 Pet. 1:25).

We should strive to be as Christ-like as possible. This includes being true to the commitments made to God and each other. It is true that sometimes there are legitimate reasons why we may not be able to fulfill a promise made. In these cases, we need to apologize to the person and explain what happened. This can protect our character and testimony from receiving a reputation as someone who is deceitful and doesn't follow through with what they say. If the promise was to God, we should either reaffirm our commitment to doing our best to make good on the promise or repent of our inability to do as we told God we would. You will find this will lift the weight of these failed promises off of you and will help to heal your relationships. You will find that not only God, but also true believers will forgive.

And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him (Luke 17:4).

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you (Matt. 6:14).

Thought for Today:

How concerned are you for your children's eternal destiny?

Christ Revealed:

By Samuel who grew in favor with God and men (1 Sam. 2:26). Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52).

Word Studies:

1:6 sore, without mercy; 1:16 daughter of Belial, sinful woman; 2:1 horn, strength; ; is enlarged, rejoices greatly; 2:8 8 the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, God alone sustains and upholds the earth; 2:10 His King . . . His Anointed, Messiah; this is the first reference to Jesus' coming by the title Messiah; 2:13 in seething, being cooked; 2:15 sodden, boiled; 2:29 Wherefore kick ye, Why do you rebel?; 2:31 cut off thine arm, break your strength; 3:18 every whit, everything. 

Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord for ways to share His love with others (Heb. 6:10).

Optional Reading: Acts 2

NOTE: Bible Pathway covers the Old Testament with devotional and commentary insights over a nine-month period, January through September. Each day during these months, an optional reading of one chapter a day from the New Testament will also be listed. The October, November, and December issues will provide a daily commentary on the New Testament readings. Thus, the reader goes through the New Testament twice each year using the Bible Pathway plan.

Memory Verse for the Week: Revelation 15:3