MONDAY September 10, 2018
Dedicated to the Lord
Now the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and his vow. But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the Lord and remain there forever.”
1 Samuel 1:21-22
God needed a leader for the nation of Israel, and to fulfill that need, He placed the desire for a child in the heart of a mother who could not have children. Hannah, through her sorrow, was drawn to the House of the Lord, where, in prayer, she opened her heart and poured out her spirit to God. In answer to her petition, God allowed her to have a child.
The baby was named Samuel meaning “heard of God” or “asked of God.” Samuel was to be consecrated to the Lord by his mother. Hannah vowed to give him back to the Lord. He was to be a Nazirite––no razor would touch his head and he would not drink anything of the vine. He was consecrated to the Lord.
Hannah not only gave her life to the Lord, but she turned around and gave the life of her son to the Lord. Even before Samuel had any knowledge, she immediately consecrated him to the Lord. Imagine Samuel, as a young child, who was separated to the Lord, and how he would later influence the nation of Israel.
There are many people who desire to be in ministry, but they do not want to be consecrated to God. I know I am not like other, regular men. I am like a Nazirite, consecrated to God––separated to God––for the work of the ministry. I have to constantly examine my life, be accountable and remain in submission to the Lord. It is important to be a man of integrity.
Seriously, you never know how a man is going to affect the world for Jesus Christ, if that man is willing to give his whole life to God.
It does not take great men to do great things;
it only takes consecrated men.
~Phillips Brooks~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!