I’ve been studying the book of First Samuel recently and I must say it’s really been one of my favorite studies I’ve ever done.

Reading the prayer life of Hannah in chapter one of First Samuel, here’s what God was showing me:

• God himself closed the womb of Hannah for His sovereign purpose. (V.5)
• The enemy used her weakness to attack her, but God used it to bring out her strength. (V.6)
• She had faith; she wasn’t willing to settle for a life of sadness. She passionately sought the Lord through fasting and weeping, doing whatever it would take to get an answer from God. (V.7-11)
• She prayed so hard that she couldn’t even speak with her mouth. My translation says she was “pouring out her soul before the Lord” (V.12,13,15,16)
• Her answered prayer made her happy! (V.18)
• God doesn’t forget our prayers (V.19)
• She recognized her answer came from the Lord, naming her son “Samuel” meaning “heard of God.”

I see a woman who did everything it took and stretched her faith so far to get an answer from the Lord. On the flip side, I see the sovereignty of God in pushing her to stretch her faith and to pray and fast fervently, not religiously.

When’s the last time you wanted to hear from God so badly that you did everything it took to get an answer?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
Psalm 111:10 (ESV)

This is just crazy to me… thinking about the fact that if we’re not fearing the Lord, we’re only getting stupider! Fear him and acknowledge him in all your ways (Prov 3:6) and you will receive wisdom…

No man is wise who does not fear the Lord; no man acts wisely except as influenced by that fear. This fear will lead to repentance, to faith in Christ, to watchfulness and obedience. Such persons are of a good understanding, however poor, unlearned, or despised.
-Matthew Henry

• Do you fear God as you should?
• What will you do about it?

Seek the LORD and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
Psalm 105:4 (ESV)

I’ve been meditating on this scripture a lot recently. What does it mean to “Seek the LORD and his strength?” The word for “seek” here means to pursue God, usually by worship or prayer. The word “continually” is often used to mean constant sacrifice.

This isn’t saying “put your worship CDs on and pray regularly,” it’s saying WORSHIP God, continually sacrificing self to seek the Lord (maybe turn off those worship CDs if you think it’s hard to pray without them). Don’t stop seeking the LORD, even in your weakest times… that’s when you seek Him and His strength! It is Him who strengthens us, and there is no greater source.

I am challenging myself to find ways to get out of my routine and sacrifice something to seek God in prayer or in the Word. I find that I probably listen to the radio in the car too much (and I drive a lot). So, here are some suggestions: maybe turn off the radio in the car, watch less TV, or read less other books and replace them with the reading Bible or prayer.

Let’s start seeking!