Is the Cost too High?
Do you do what you say you’re going to do or do you rationalize your way out?
Hannah was a barren woman and constantly ridiculed by her rival Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife, who was fruitful with many children. Hannah’s husband loved her dearly and gave her extra portions of food because she was without children.
One day Hannah went to the sanctuary and prayed in earnest to God petitioning Him to give her a son, with the promise that she will give the son back to God for His service. The Priest Eli agreed with her prayer and sent her off with a blessing from God.
11 Then she made a vow: Oh, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, If you’ll take a good, hard look at my pain, If you’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me by giving me a son, I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to you. I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline. 1 Sam 1:11
God heard Hannah’s prayers and gave her a son, Samuel. God provided the very thing she had been longing for but she had made a vow to God, so now what would she do?
What will you do if God answers your prayer with a yes and grants your hearts desire?
I think Hannah’s motive was primarily linked to the customs of their time. The chief value of a woman in biblical times was first her chastity and, after marriage, her reproductivity. If a woman was barren she had no value.
Hannah didn’t know at the time what role Samuel would play in God’s plan for mankind, a Priest, a Judge, the one chosen to identify King David in the great lineage of Jesus our Savior. All Hannah knew was that she wanted a child more than anything, if only just to find value as a human being.
How many times have you bargained with God? God, if You will save my child then I will …. God if You will heal my father then I will … But do you follow through with your part? Do you try and justify your way out of giving up the thing that you bargained for because the cost seemed too high? Or when you do respond in obedience is it begrudgingly?
I think we can learn something from Hannah’s response. After her son was weaned she responds with a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving and sacrificially gives her only son back to the Priest to raise and serve God. Read 1 Sam 2:1-10
Granted, now she had value as a woman, but I’m sure there was a connection with her child and the sacrifice of letting him go must have been torturous. We don’t read that part but as women we can only imagine the agony she must have experienced.
So how does God respond to her gratitude and sacrifice? He blesses her with 3 more sons and 2 daughters. More than she could have dreamed possible.
I believe God is always searching our hearts. He wants to bless us. He wants to grant us our hearts desire as long as it’s in line with His Word. He also wants people who will serve Him, obey Him, honor Him, trust Him, love Him and be thankful whether we see the response we want or not.
Can you trust God with your hearts desire? Will you follow through with your end of the bargain?
It’s a matter of integrity. I think too often we rationalize our way out of doing what we have promised, not only to God but to others and we limit the possibilities of further blessings in our lives.
We have a New year coming and many resolutions will be given which often we ask for God’s help with. How about this year we follow through with our part with a thankful heart and just see what will happen.
Prayer:
Lord, I pray that we will be people of integrity. I pray that You will help us to honor our promises and commitments to You and others. Help us to receive all You have for us with an attitude of thanksgiving. In Jesus Name, Amen!
