Wednesday's Devo - God Heard

Read 1 Sam. 1-2:11
Elkanah was a man from Bethlehem who had 2 wives: Peninnah and Hannah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah was barren. Every year they took a pilgrimmage to Shiloh to sacrifice at the tabernacle. Elkanah gave each child and his wives meat from the sacrifice. Penninah would taunt Hannah to tears because she didn't have any children. Hannah cried out to the Lord and told him that if He would give her a son, she would give him back to the Lord. Eli was the priest and saw Hannah crying and praying in the temple. He thought she was drunk and rebuked her. She told him she was not drunk but pouring out her heart to the Lord. He told her God would give her what she prayed for. She believed him and was filled with joy.
They went home, Hannah became pregnant and had Samuel which means "God heard". She stayed home till Samuel was weaned (about 3 years old) then took him to the temple and gave him to Eli. She then breaks into this beautiful prayer about how God raises up the humble and lowly and puts down the proud and exalted. She proclaims God's power and strength. Then she and her husband go home without Samuel and he stays to serve Eli.
As a mother I can't imagine doing this. After not being able to have children and finally having your dream come true, you give it up. It would seem like this would be excruciating, but not to Hannah. She lived for this moment. She rejoiced because God gave her strength. She made a vow to the Lord and kept it. In 2:21 God gave Hannah 3 sons and 2 daughters to take the place of what she had given up. God is like that. When we give up something, He blesses us in proportion to what we give him only His return is so much bigger and better.
It's Christmas time and there are more needs this year than ever because of the economy. That means, we have more opportunities to give. I love it because like my pastor always says, "We never look more like Jesus than when we are giving." Lord, help us to open our hearts and give you everything.