There’s an Old Testament story that often gets overlooked, but one that has great value in the life of the Christian. The story is in 1 Samuel 1-2 and it was during a time when Israel was living in rebellion to God. It was also during a time when Israel hadn’t heard from God in a long time. They desperately needed to be led back to the Law. They desperately needed truth to invade their land. This story begins with the prayer of a grief-stricken mom. In that day, barren women were a source of mockery. And they somehow believed that God was punishing them for something. Hannah had not been blessed with a child and she was continually ridiculed by her husband’s other wife, who had many children.
One day when she visited the Tabernacle for their annual sacrifice, she cried out to God. From the deep places of her heart, she said, “Lord, if you give me a son, I will give him back to you” (1 Samuel 1:1). The priest saw her praying quietly and thought she was drunk. After she explained her dire situation, he blessed her. She returned home and shortly thereafter became pregnant. She named her son, Samuel, because “she asked the LORD for him” (1 Samuel 1:20). She honored her vow and when he was weaned, she took him back to the Tabernacle and left him there. This should pull at every mom and grandma’s heartstrings. We cannot imagine, can we?
But this story reminds us of the blessings God will pour down on our children or grandchildren if we surrender them to the Lord. When we surrender, we let go and let God. We stop trying to control them or manipulate situations. We simply trust God with them. Not that we don’t parent, but we trust God for His great purposes for them. A surrendered child or grandchild is great worth in God’s eyes and His favor is poured out on them. But in our surrender, we must remember 3 things…
1) God is Sovereign! That means that He will do what He wants with them and in His way. Hannah left her young son in the hands of Eli the priest and his wicked sons who served in the Tabernacle. Did she know this? Absolutely! But she vowed. God protected Samuel in the midst of the horrible environment he was placed into. God is sovereign and He will accomplish His will no matter what. God’s sovereignty will prevail over EVERYTHING!
2) God’s timing is perfect! God brought Samuel into the world not a day too early or a day too late. He was right on time. God’s timing is perfect for our children as well. We cannot hurry God. God will do amazing things in the life of a surrendered child or grandchild in His perfect timing.
3) Trust must accompany surrender! We must trust that God will do what He promised. We must trust that He has their best interest at heart. We must trust that His plans are far better than ours. We must trust God for their future even if it doesn’t look like anything we envisioned for them.
Samuel became one of the greatest prophets and judges to reside over Israel. Under his influence, Israel was brought back to God. In fact, the same words spoke about Jesus are the same words spoken about Samuel: “He grew in favor with both God and man” (1 Samuel 2:26). Let me ask you… Do you want God’s will to prevail for your child or grandchild? If so, then have you truly surrendered them to the Lord? Let Hannah’s story inspire you to give them to the Lord for God to do as He pleases.