For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him. 28 Therefore I have lent him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD.”
And he worshiped the LORD there.
We love fairy tales like Cinderella where the downtrodden heroine finally is given her due and marries the handsome young prince. It is a form of completion that, when it is absent, troubles us greatly. Hannah was one of two wives, which is a problem to begin with, but to make things worse, her rival in marriage humiliated her for having no children. Thus Hannah prayed in faith to the Lord for a son, which the Lord was pleased to give her. Strangely to those who lack understanding, she gave him right back to the Lord. The NASB translates this odd word “lent” as “dedicated”. Like our offerings on a Sunday morning are a giving back of what he first gave us, this is a dedication of what he first gave Hannah.
The most interesting thing to me is the last line. Eli worshiped the Lord there. Didn’t he always? I am sure the answer is yes but at times, the Lord’s answer to prayer is so sudden and stark that we are temporarily shocked that the Lord actually did what we asked of him. Then we worship him. Eli seemed to be surprised that the Lord answers prayer.
This day, may we see something surprising from the Lord, an answer to prayer or an unexpected blessing. Instead of going into shock, may we go into praise and then see the Lord’s answer to prayer as highly believable, not unbelievable. May the Lord grant your petition today…
Then worship the Lord there.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church