<\/p>\n
1 Samuel 1:9-4:11<\/strong><\/span> Below is a great image for First Samuel chapter 1 verses 24 through 28 today where we read: \u201cWhen the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and half a bushel of flour and some wine. After sacrificing the bull, they took the child to Eli. \u201cSir, do you remember me?\u201d Hannah asked. \u201cI am the woman who stood here several years ago praying to the LORD. I asked the LORD to give me this child, and he has given me my request. Now I am giving him to the LORD, and he will belong to the LORD his whole life.\u201d And they worshiped the LORD there.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Today in First Samuel chapter 2 we read the incredible Prayer of Hannah! In verse 2 we read: \u201cThere is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.\u201d<\/em> This prayer of praise from Hannah really stands out to me these days. Oftentimes I think I \u201cforget\u201d that there is no one holy like the Lord \u2013 and I start to seek from other sources what I should only be seeking from God. I have come to realize more than ever lately that if I am feeling a strong emotion or need, I need to really reflect on that emotion or need and ask myself if God can satisfy or quench or dispel that emotion or need. The answer is always an unfailing and beautiful YES. There is no other person, place or being that will always be there for us \u2013 that will always be our Rock \u2013 that is perfectly consistent \u2013 besides God the Father, Jesus the Son\u00a0and the Holy Spirit. God is holy and his holiness can take care of any emotion or need that comes up in our lives. We need to turn it over to him and trust in Him. How about you? Do you sometimes \u201cforget\u201d that God is holy? Do you sometimes seek from other sources what you should only be seeking from God? Do you believe that God can satisfy or quench or dispel any emotion or need that comes up in your life? Is God your Rock? Do you believe there is no one holy like the Lord?\u00a0 Below is a great painting of Hannah and her prayer!<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on our readings today in First Samuel titled \u201cThe Son and the Psalm of Hannah\u201d <\/strong>is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n First Samuel chapter 2 verse 25 stood out to me today when Eli says to his sons \u2013 \u201cIf someone sins against another person, God can mediate for the guilty party. But if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This is an interesting thing to consider.\u00a0 When we sin, are we sinning against other people and\/or against God?\u00a0 I think generally speaking the answer is both.\u00a0 I have heard a pastor teach that \u201cnobody sins in a vacuum.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0Not a literal vacuum of course :), but a \u201cvacuum\u201d meaning that your sin only affects you and you alone.\u00a0 This pastor went on to say that when we sin \u2013 even when we are alone \u2013 we end up affecting everyone else around us in our lives in some way.\u00a0 We may not consciously see how this happens, but our sin affects how we will treat others in the near future.\u00a0 So, it seems to me that when we sin we pretty much always sin against others, because we\u2019re in one sense letting down the community of people around us and we will behave differently to our community around us because of our sin.\u00a0 Now, in terms of sinning against God, I always think of Psalm 51 where David writes to God \u2013 \u201cagainst you and you alone have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.\u201d\u00a0 I think this is true as well \u2013 any sin we commit is a sin against God.\u00a0 It is interesting that David uses the term \u201cyou alone\u201d about his sin.\u00a0 But, obviously, David\u2019s sin of adultery with Bathsheba affected the community around him in a big way.\u00a0 So, all this to say \u2013 I believe that when we sin we are sinning against God and the community of people in our lives at the same time.\u00a0 Eli asks in this verse above, \u201cwho can intercede for our sins against God?\u201d\u00a0 Well, at that time, that was a very good question.\u00a0 However, in our time Jesus can and does intercede for our sins against God \u2013 if we\u2019ll ask him.\u00a0 We simply need to confess our sins to Jesus and ask for forgiveness and repent \u2013 in faith that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.\u00a0 We are so very fortunate that we have someone \u2013 Jesus \u2013 who can intercede for our sins\u2026\u00a0 This is why Jesus is called Savior.\u00a0 Jesus Saves us from our sins.\u00a0 Has Jesus saved you from your sins?<\/span><\/p>\n An awesome image is below for 1 Samuel 3:10 \u2013 \u201cAnd the LORD came and called as before, \u201cSamuel! Samuel!\u201d And Samuel replied, \u201cYes, your servant is listening.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s 1 Samuel readings titled \u201cSamuel and the sons of Belial\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 Commentary titled \u201cThe Rise of Samuel and the fall of Eli and Sons\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings in 1 Samuel reminded me of Chasen\u2019s song \u201cOn and On:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n