SATURDAY April 25, 2026

Having Faith to Speak God’s Word

For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel....
Hebrews 11:32

In the lineup of heroes of faith, we also find the prophet Samuel. It stands to reason that having been born to a mother of faith, he became a great man of faith. His mother was childless and prayed to the Lord with all her heart and soul for a child. In His perfect time, God answered. A man was needed to speak to the nation of Israel. What was the nation’s state? God had given His people judges to lead them, but when they died, the people went right back to doing what was right in their own eyes (Judges 17:6).

First Samuel’s opening chapter shows Hannah praying in the Temple. Eli the priest misjudged her and said: “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” (1 Samuel 1:14). She replied: “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now” (1 Samuel 1:15-16).

Eli the priest gave Hannah words of hope: “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” Hannah pleaded with the Lord for a son, and, in return, what did she vow?

“O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head” (1 Samuel 1:11).

Hannah promised to give the child to the Lord––she made a Nazarite vow––so her son would be set apart for God’s service. Her prayers aligned herself with the will and purposes of God. A year later she had Samuel. His name means, “asked of God.” Hannah kept her vow, and after the child was weaned, she took him to Eli in the Temple. Samuel became a man of faith who fought against idolatry. As a prophet, he had faith to speak God’s Word to the nation of Israel and King Saul.

Do you have faith to speak God’s Word before commoners and kings?

...He has made My mouth like a sharp sword....
~Isaiah 49:2~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!