Treasures from God’s Word
We are publicizing a new program here at FGCC. We are calling it the “100-Day Bible Chapter Challenge.” This Bible reading emphasis is meant to fan the flames of personal Bible study. The Bible, God’s Word, is filled with rich truth and tremendous stories. We understand that God works in many ways and should never to be underestimated in how He accomplishes His amazing plans, but God has told us that reading and pondering His Word, the Bible, is greatly beneficial to our life and existence. God’s Word teaches us, guides us, corrects us, calls us to change, builds us up and does many other things (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Let me share a great, yet largely unknown, Old Testament story from the book of 1 Samuel.
1 Samuel begins with a discussion about an Israelite named Elkanah. He was a godly man who had two wives. This tale describes one of his wives sitting misty-eyed at the Tabernacle of God. She was the one everyone probably called "nadach" (in Hebrew it means outcast). She would have been called “nadach” because she had no children - to be childless in that culture meant that in the peoples' eyes God was punishing and cursing you. While no one knew what she had done wrong, she would still have been stigmatized. Elkanah was the only one who accepted her. He loved her and knew she was a righteous woman. His name for her was “Grace.” We know her by her Hebrew name, Hannah. The Hebrew word for “grace” was Hannah.
Remember I said that Elkanah had two wives. The reason Hannah sat crying at the Tabernacle was that Elkanah’s other wife had born him many children. This rival wife also had an appropriate name, Peninnah. I know that name means nothing to us as English speakers, but Peninnah is a Hebrew name that means pearl. If you understand how pearls are made, you will see that it is a fitting name. Pearls are created by oysters when irritating sand invades the shell. A pearl is beautiful on the outside, yet it is dirty irritation on the inside.
Hannah had traveled with her husband to the town of Shiloh. This was the location of God’s Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was where the glory of God resided and where the Israelites offered sacrifices; it was here that this woman of faith brought her troubles to the Creator of the universe. Here in 1 Samuel, we see the Author of life stooping low to listen to a woman whose heart was breaking. Hannah asked God for a son, and she dared to believe that God would listen to her request. She dared to make a bold promise to God as well. Hannah said, “Give me a son and I'll make him yours!” 1 Samuel goes on to share the marvelous event that happened after Hannah’s prayer: God heard Hannah’s prayers and through His loving providence Hannah conceived. Hannah would have a son. In thankful praise and testimony, she named him Samuel. Again, this is a fitting name. Samuel is the Hebrew word that means “God hears.”
Let me ask, how can you read this story and not be moved? Here is a story of hurt and distress. Can you relate to that feeling? Here is a story of desperation and hope. How good it is for us to read about how God works in amazing ways! 1 Samuel reminds us that our world is filled with people who follow the tradition of “Pearl” — enticing on the outside, but dirty and course on the inside. Our world is impoverished because we have few people of grace and faith. We need more people who will take the path that Hannah followed. We need to remember that the trials we face are opportunities to serve God.
During the good times it can be easy to defer to God. It is common to give lip-service to God after hitting the home-run or catching the touchdown pass. What about when we are facing 4th down and a mile? When the odds are long and the enemy is ready to blitz, what will you choose to do? Remember the story of Hannah. Remember that God is still on the throne — He is still great. What this world needs to see is that there are people who still believe that Jesus is the Author of life and Lord of all. Let us remind everyone we meet that the Creator of the Universe still bends low to hear the prayers of His people. Determine to join us in our “100-Day Bible Chapter Challenge.” Keep looking up!