September 8, 2023 — A Light In The Darkness

The child Samuel proves that even little flames can show the difference between light and darkness. Immediately following the conclusion of Hannah’s glorious prayer (1 Sam 2:1-10), we catch the interplay between light and darkness with which we are so familiar in this world. Listen to these two sentences: “The child ministered to the Lord […]

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September 7, 2023 — Hannah’s Paean Of Praise

People who think “good guys end up last” need to listen to the thrilling words of Hannah’s song. A paean is a song of enthusiastic praise or a celebratory poem of joyful triumph. The second chapter of 1 Samuel includes one of the greatest examples. Anyone studying the first ten verses of 1 Samuel 2 […]

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September 4, 2023 — A Living, Breathing Answer To Prayer

The birth of Samuel may have seemed inconsequential, but it was a divine intervention in history. Whatever the deficiencies in Elkanah’s family, no one can deny that the words of 1 Samuel 1:19 are like rays of sunshine breaking through dark clouds. In spite of abounding wickedness, we read the family “rose early in the […]

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September 1, 2023 — When Weeping Turns To Praying

Tears are often liquid prayers, but prayers expressed can more surely lay hold of the promises. It’s hard to be impressed with Peninnah, Elkanah’s second wife. Wasn’t it enough that God had blessed her with “all her sons and daughters” (1 Sam 1:4)? No, she “provoked [Hannah] severely, to make her miserable” (v 6). This […]

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August 30, 2023 — Getting The Big Picture

Before we can be ready to reign with Him, He must teach us the secret of His rule in our own hearts. Beginning 1 Samuel, let’s remember where we are—coming to the end of the times of the judges. The 40-year period of Philistine oppression had continued after Samson’s erratic judgeship and untimely death. Not […]

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