Putting it in God's hands

I love the story about Hannah in I Samuel! She's one of those Bible characters I really feel for. Here she is, one of two wives to Elkanah. The other wife has given birth to many children. Hannah hasn't had one child. Bad enough in that culture where a woman's worth was primarily her ability to bear children, but on top of it, the other wife taunts her for her bareness! Hannah's solution? Pray to God - ask Him for a child. Not too unusual, especially in a Bible story. But what does she do in her prayer for a child? She promises that child to God in a lifetime of service. How incredibly selfless! Ask for your heart's desire, and then willingly give it back to God in gratitude to God for answered prayer. It's quite something to shoot for in our own prayers.

But even more than this, Hannah gives another wonderful insight into prayer. One day a few years ago when I reread this story, something lept out at me I hadn't noticed before. After Hannah prays and Eli the priest gives her a blessing, she leaves "and her countenance was no more sad." Wow! Her prayer hadn't even been answered, but she had such trust in God that He would answer the prayer she offered, that, instead of crying and not eating as had been the case until she got pregnant, she was happy immediately. This deep trust that brings a sense of peace and calm despite the trouble at hand is what these readings are covering.

And that's why the first hymn (Hymn 124), with words by Philip Doddridge, was selected. It ends with this verse:

His goodness stands approved,
Unchanged from day to day:
I drop my burden at His feet,
And bear a song away.

Unfortunately, I think the only way to view the whole hymn, as well as the others, is through Concord or if you have a Christian Science Hymnal accessible. The Bible and Science and Health citations can be individually viewed by clicking each link or by copying into the citation pane of the Concord program.

Peace!

The Bible:
Ps 4:1,3 the Lord will,4 (to .),5-7
Ps 5:1-3,7 I will,11 let all,12
Ps 42:11
I Sam 1:1-12,17-20,24-28
I Sam 2:1,2,11
Ps 31:1,2 (to ;),19,21,23 (to :),24
Ps 34:22
Ps 145:1-5,14,16-19
Ps 46:10 (to :)
Mark 11:22 Have,24 What
Mark 4:39 Peace (to .)
Rom 5:1-5 being
Rom 15:13

Science and Health:
1:10-23 np (to ?)
2:26-2 Shall
11:27
13:10-24
506:18
4:12
446:15-18,20
206:10-18
8:3-6
531:8
95:30-32
298:13-20
495:16
444:10
41:8-10
99:23
506:11-12

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 124
Hymn 410
Hymn 75