September 17 -- "On Loan to God"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 1

"On Loan to God"

In deep distress, Hannah cried to God, asking him to give her a son. She promised that if God answered her prayer, she would give her son back to God to serve him as a Nazirite for life.  The priest Eli encouraged Hannah to believe that God would answer her prayer. And sure enough, in due course, she gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel.  The Hebrew name Samuel, was “Shaulme’El” – a contraction of “shaul” (lent) and "meEl" (to God). When the child was two or three years old, Hannah took him to Shiloh, where she dedicated him to God for life.

When verse 28 says she “lent” him to the LORD, it doesn’t mean that she ever expected to receive him back again. This was no temporary “loan.” She “gave” her son to God.  Whatever we give to the Lord may said to be lent to him, because, though we may not get it back, yet he will certainly repay it to our unspeakable advantage.   Hannah realized this truth and gladly gave her son to God in deep appreciation for the blessing He had bestowed upon her.  In reality, Hannah realized that Samuel belonged to God and it was God who had “lent” him to her for a brief period.

As Christian parents, it should be our number one priority to “lend” (give) our children to the Lord.  We are exhorted throughout Scripture to bring our children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  To impart God’s truth into their hearts and minds.  To guide them to lives devoted to the service and worship of their Creator.  It is wonderful when parents put their children’s welfare ahead of their own.  It is wonderful when parents sacrifice their time and resources to support their child’s intellectual, emotional, and physical growth.  But it is a tragedy if, while doing so, they neglect their spiritual development. This should never be.

As parents, we must always keep in mind that our children are God’s and they are on loan for us to raise for His Kingdom purposes.  If you are a parent, know that you were created, called, for this task. Probably the single most important thing you can do for your children is to constantly pray that they would have a personal encounter with God, Himself, and wholeheartedly dedicate their life to serving and worshipping Him. Never underestimate the power of your prayers on this matter.

As the Apostle John said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3 John 1:4) The inverse of this is also true, “I have no greater sorrow than to hear that my children don’t.”  Hannah could live her life in blessed peace knowing that her “loan” to the Lord was reaping eternal dividends.