Daily Readings
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
1 Samuel 1:19-27
Romans 8:31-39
Daily Reflection
After some time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, because she said, “I requested him from the LORD.”
1 Samuel 1:20 (CSB)
God Hears Your Cry.
We live in an age of the instant. We are annoyed by the buffering of a Youtube video, long lines at the grocery store, and drive-thrus that take more time than expected. If not careful, this instant-grits-mentality bleeds over into our spiritual walks. We wonder, “How many times have I prayed about this situation? Shouldn’t God have answered by now?” Rest assured, God hears your cry.
In seasons of silence, we question if God hears our prayers. He does. He is working on your behalf. However, patience is a virtue forged in the flame of heartache and tribulation. But God is working during the pain. He may be shaping your motivations to align with His purposes. The Apostle Paul encourages us by saying, “He did not even spare his own Son but offered him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything?” Romans 8:32 (CSB) Take heart. God knows your situation, and He hears your prayer.
Suggestion for Prayer
Thank God for hearing your prayer. Ask for the grace to patiently wait for His answer.
Preparing for Sunday’s Reading
1 Samual 3:1-10[11-20]
Psalm 139:1-6,13-18
2 Corinthians 4:5-12
Mark 2:23-3:6
The “In the Word Together” (ITWT) blog series on http://www.kevinwbounds.com is a systematic approach to reading and reflecting on the Holy Scriptures in a community. To learn more about its origins click here. ITWT utilizes the structure provided by the Revised Common Lectionary.
Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
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Image Attribution**
Victors, Jan, 1619-1676. Hannah Giving Her Son Samuel to the Priest, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=55181 [retrieved May 31, 2018]. Original source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hannah_VICTORS,_Jan.jpg.
Kevin – This is excellent. Thanks for a timely word for all of us as we seek God’s leadership in our lives.
Thanks for the encouragement!