Promises you may not keep

Have you heard the story of Hannah??  Its a wonderful story in the bible of the mother of Samuel.  I read it recently and it has stuck with me. Questions formed in my mind.  Would I do what she did?  Would I make promises I may not be able to keep?

Hannah was brave. She was obedient.  As a mother I'm not sure I could do what she ultimately did.
Hannah was married to Elkanah. She was one of two wives.  Penninah was his other wife and she had children.  Hannah did not. Penninah and her children would provoke Hannah in order to irritate her.  You've had people like that in your life, haven't you?  They find that sore spot in your heart and keep at it day in and day out, never letting it heal because they keep poking that spot till it bleeds more and more.

Hannah was so distraught she would cry and Elkanah would say "Why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?"  Men - sometimes they are clueless and just don't get it!!  First of all, the man had 2 wives.  His first mistake.   One wife was berating the other one and he just didn't get it!  Men, get involved at home.  Take time to understand your wife.  Listen to her and know her.  Don't be Elkanah - CLUELESS!  

The biggest mistake Elkanah made was having two wives.  He was unable to understand or meet his wife's needs.  God says in Gen. 2:24 "A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh".  Hard to be one flesh when there are three or more getting involved.  Although polygamy was prevalent, it doesn't mean it was acceptable to God.  So true in today's world.  Just because sex before marriage is prevalent, doesn't mean its acceptable to God. And the same is true with other "acceptable" sins.  Too often we succumb to the ways of the world because its "socially acceptable".  Standing on God's word and living life His way can be hard, but as we see with Hannah and Elkanah, it would have saved Hannah alot of heartache had her husband been able to focus on her needs alone.

Back to Hannah and her story - and the promise she made.  She wept bitterly to the Lord and basically bargained with God.  If you give me a son, I will never shave his head (this meant he would be a Nazarite) and I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life.   Who doesn't bargain with God?  Have you ever done that?  God if you do such and such, I will promise....

God heard Hannah and he decided to respond to her prayer.  Why? Two reasons.  First, he is gracious.  He wanted to pour his love on her.  Second, He knew her heart and knew she would do what she said she would do.  Hmmm?  Would God be able to say the same about you?  When you make promises to God in return for something from Him, will you hold true to those promises?  Or are they like leaves tossed by the winds - here one minute, gone the next?  

Hannah's prayers were answered and she conceived a son - Samuel.   For three years she nursed him and loved him. How deeply this woman wanted a child yet she made a promise to give him up.  She did not voice empty words.  After he was weened, she took him to the Prophet Eli.  I couldn't do it...taking a child who is three, young enough to still be a baby, old enough to ask questions. But, Samuel went and worshiped the Lord.  At age 3!!  Why? Because his mother had taught him from the beginning. She had prepared him as she raised him.  She talked to him as she nursed him of Gods faithfulness. She told him of the promise and that he was appointed to grow up in the house of the Lord.  Isn't this what we, as mothers, should be doing for our children?  Preparing them.  Teaching them, guiding them in God's word?  I have such respect and honor for Hannah.  What a strong woman.  Samuel learned faith from his mother - a woman whose faithfulness evidenced her faith.  She walked what she talked.  

Do you?  That's my question to you today?  Are you like Hannah?  Faithful in your promises to God.  Do  you make promises you may not keep to get what you want today?  Can God look at your heart and KNOW you will be faithful to Him, no matter the cost?  I pray that today I learn a mighty lesson from this woman.  To be faithful in all things.  To love God more than I love anything or anyone on this earth.  To follow His commands and live a life wholly devoted to Him.  When I do, I will be blessed with the desires of my heart, just as Hannah was blessed with hers.