1 Samuel 1, Bible Reading and Daily Devotionals

Max Lucado Daily: A New Order - June 7, 2022

An impassable gulf yawned between Jews and Gentiles in the days of the early church. A Jew could not drink milk drawn by Gentiles or eat their food. Jewish physicians could not attend to non-Jewish patients. No Jew would have anything to do with a Gentile. Unless that Jew, of course, was Jesus.

Suspicions of a new order began to surface because of his curious conversation with the Canaanite woman. Her daughter was dying, her prayer was urgent, yet her ancestry was Gentile. Jesus told her, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel,”  but she replied, “even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table” (Matthew 15:24, 27 NLT).

Jesus healed the woman’s daughter, and he made his position clear. He was more concerned about bringing everyone in than shutting certain people out.

1 Samuel 1

Hannah Pours Out Her Heart to God

There once was a man who lived in Ramathaim. He was descended from the old Zuph family in the Ephraim hills. His name was Elkanah. (He was connected with the Zuphs from Ephraim through his father Jeroham, his grandfather Elihu, and his great-grandfather Tohu.) He had two wives. The first was Hannah; the second was Peninnah. Peninnah had children; Hannah did not.

3-7 Every year this man went from his hometown up to Shiloh to worship and offer a sacrifice to God-of-the-Angel-Armies. Eli and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, served as the priests of God there. When Elkanah sacrificed, he passed helpings from the sacrificial meal around to his wife Peninnah and all her children, but he always gave an especially generous helping to Hannah because he loved her so much, and because God had not given her children. But her rival wife taunted her cruelly, rubbing it in and never letting her forget that God had not given her children. This went on year after year. Every time she went to the sanctuary of God she could expect to be taunted. Hannah was reduced to tears and had no appetite.

8 Her husband Elkanah said, “Oh, Hannah, why are you crying? Why aren’t you eating? And why are you so upset? Am I not of more worth to you than ten sons?”

9-11 So Hannah ate. Then she pulled herself together, slipped away quietly, and entered the sanctuary. The priest Eli was on duty at the entrance to God’s Temple in the customary seat. Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried—inconsolably. Then she made a vow:

Oh, God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
If you’ll take a good, hard look at my pain,
If you’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me
By giving me a son,
I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to you.
I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline.

12-14 It so happened that as she continued in prayer before God, Eli was watching her closely. Hannah was praying in her heart, silently. Her lips moved, but no sound was heard. Eli jumped to the conclusion that she was drunk. He approached her and said, “You’re drunk! How long do you plan to keep this up? Sober up, woman!”

15-16 Hannah said, “Oh no, sir—please! I’m a woman brokenhearted. I haven’t been drinking. Not a drop of wine or beer. The only thing I’ve been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to God. Don’t for a minute think I’m a bad woman. It’s because I’m so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I’ve stayed here so long.”

17 Eli answered her, “Go in peace. And may the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him.”

18 “Think well of me—and pray for me!” she said, and went her way. Then she ate heartily, her face radiant.

19 Up before dawn, they worshiped God and returned home to Ramah. Elkanah slept with Hannah his wife, and God began making the necessary arrangements in response to what she had asked.
Dedicating the Child to God

20 Before the year was out, Hannah had conceived and given birth to a son. She named him Samuel, explaining, “I asked God for him.”

21-22 When Elkanah next took his family on their annual trip to Shiloh to worship God, offering sacrifices and keeping his vow, Hannah didn’t go. She told her husband, “After the child is weaned, I’ll bring him myself and present him before God—and that’s where he’ll stay, for good.”

23-24 Elkanah said to his wife, “Do what you think is best. Stay home until you have weaned him. Yes! Let God complete what he has begun!”

So she did. She stayed home and nursed her son until she had weaned him. Then she took him up to Shiloh, bringing also the makings of a generous sacrificial meal—a prize bull, flour, and wine. The child was so young to be sent off!

25-28 They first butchered the bull, then brought the child to Eli. Hannah said, “Excuse me, sir. Would you believe that I’m the very woman who was standing before you at this very spot, praying to God? I prayed for this child, and God gave me what I asked for. And now I have dedicated him to God. He’s dedicated to God for life.”

Then and there, they worshiped God.

Our Daily Bread reading and devotion    
Tuesday, June 07, 2022

Today's Scripture
Matthew 28:16–20
Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.

18–20     Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

Insight

In Jewish Wisdom Literature, wisdom is personified as a teacher, the true teacher of all who find wisdom (Proverbs 1:20–33; 8:1–20). Matthew’s gospel draws on that tradition to explain who Jesus is. He’s not only a great rabbi or teacher but the Teacher—Wisdom itself (see 1 Corinthians 1:24; Colossians 2:2–3). Through Jesus—Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23)—the wisdom of God is now accessible to all who are His disciples. Through His resurrection, Christ forever establishes His identity and authority as God’s ultimate revelation. The gospel of Matthew closes (28:20) the way it begins (1:23), with a reminder that it’s through Jesus that we experience God’s presence and wisdom. In turn, disciples of Christ are empowered and called to draw others to be His disciples and experience His transforming presence. By: Monica La Rose

Jesus Is Here

[Teach] them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:20

My elderly great aunt lay on her sickbed with a smile on her face. Her gray hair was pushed back from her face and wrinkles covered her cheeks. She didn’t speak much, but I still recall the few words she said when my father, mother, and I visited her. She whispered, “I don’t get lonely. Jesus is here with me.”

As a single woman at the time, I marveled at my aunt’s proclamation. Her husband had died several years earlier, and her children lived far away. Nearing her ninetieth year of life, she was alone, in her bed, barely able to move. Yet she was able to say she wasn’t lonely.

My aunt took Jesus’ words to the disciples literally, as we all should: “Surely I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). She knew that Christ’s Spirit was with her, as He promised when He instructed the disciples to go out into the world and share His message with others (v. 19). Jesus said the Holy Spirit would “be with” the disciples and us (John 14:16–17).

I’m certain my aunt experienced the reality of that promise. The Spirit was within her as she lay on her bed. And the Spirit used her to share His truth with me—a young niece who needed to hear those words and take them to heart. By:  Katara Patton

Reflect & Pray

How are you encouraged by the reality that Jesus is with you today? How have you experienced the comfort of the Holy Spirit?

Thank You, Jesus, for sending Your Spirit as my comfort and companion. Remind me of Your presence throughout this day.

My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers
Tuesday, June 07, 2022
The Greatest Source of Power

Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do… —John 14:13

Am I fulfilling this ministry of intercession deep within the hidden recesses of my life? There is no trap nor any danger at all of being deceived or of showing pride in true intercession. It is a hidden ministry that brings forth fruit through which the Father is glorified. Am I allowing my spiritual life to waste away, or am I focused, bringing everything to one central point— the atonement of my Lord? Is Jesus Christ more and more dominating every interest of my life? If the central point, or the most powerful influence, of my life is the atonement of the Lord, then every aspect of my life will bear fruit for Him.

However, I must take the time to realize what this central point of power is. Am I willing to give one minute out of every hour to concentrate on it? “If you abide in Me…”— that is, if you continue to act, and think, and work from that central point— “you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7). Am I abiding? Am I taking the time to abide? What is the greatest source of power in my life? Is it my work, service, and sacrifice for others, or is it my striving to work for God? It should be none of these— what ought to exert the greatest power in my life is the atonement of the Lord. It is not on what we spend the greatest amount of time that molds us the most, but whatever exerts the most power over us. We must make a determination to limit and concentrate our desires and interests on the atonement by the Cross of Christ.

“Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do….” The disciple who abides in Jesus is the will of God, and what appears to be his free choices are actually God’s foreordained decrees. Is this mysterious? Does it appear to contradict sound logic or seem totally absurd? Yes, but what a glorious truth it is to a saint of God.

Wisdom From Oswald Chambers

The place for the comforter is not that of one who preaches, but of the comrade who says nothing, but prays to God about the matter. The biggest thing you can do for those who are suffering is not to talk platitudes, not to ask questions, but to get into contact with God, and the “greater works” will be done by prayer (see John 14:12–13).  Baffled to Fight Better, 56 R

Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 28-29; John 17

A Word with You, by Ron Hutchcraft
Tuesday, June 07, 2022

The Danger of Growing Up With Jesus - #9237

On a trip to Florida, I had just a little personal time - enough to get over to Epcot Center at Disney World, which was a really cool place. You know, they've set it up so it's actually like being in several of the big countries of the world; some of which I've actually been to for real. And it was just really great to be in touch with the world that way. You know? So, I grabbed a van, actually part of a limo service. And as we were getting near Epcot, I said to the driver, "Man, I'll bet you drive here in your sleep, don't you? I mean, this is something you do all the time. You probably could do it with your eyes closed." He said, "Oh, yeah, man, I could. I've been here so many times." I said, "Well, how many times have you actually been in Epcot?" He said, "Oh, I've never been in." He just brings people there. Well, you know what, it's so often that way isn't it?

I mean, you live right on top of what tourists come from all over the world to see, but you don't go in there yourself. We moved to the New York area to Northern New Jersey, and we were really eager to explore what was there. We'd say to people who were born there, "Have you ever been over to the Empire State Building or to the Statue of Liberty? Been to this battlefield in New Jersey or this beautiful country store in a little country town?" And they'd go, "No, I think it's boring here, and no, I haven't been there." There was a lot of great stuff. They'd never been to see it! See, it's common for us to be so close to something for so long that we miss it, including the one thing we can't afford to miss.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Danger of Growing Up With Jesus."

Our word for today from the Word of God is found in Mark 6. I'm going to read verses 1-6. Here's the home folks hazard. "Jesus went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed." Now, remember, this is Nazareth. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles? Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son?" Then they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives, in his own house is a prophet without honor." He couldn't do any miracles there...and he was amazed at their lack of faith, the Bible says. Wow! I mean, is this a sobering message? The people who grew up with Jesus are the ones who expected no miracle.

Oh, they knew all about him. "What would you like to know about Jesus?" "Oh, we know his brother here. Oh, the sister lives right down the street. His Mom? Oh, yeah. I just saw her at the grocery store today. I used to play with them when we were little." They grew up with Him, but nothing happened between Jesus and them. It's sort of like those of us who live near those great sights and experiences, like my driver down in Florida, or people who live around New York and don't ever go to anything in New York. They take them for granted.

Now, maybe you grew up with Jesus in a sense. You've been around Christ for years. Well, there are two dangers for those of us who've known about Him for so long. First of all, you can underestimate Him. That's what happened to some people in this story. So many of us spiritual veterans are living in mediocrity; we pray little prayers; we live small Christian lives. Maybe it's been a long time since you've really lived dangerously and taken some risks for Christ and expected the supernatural. Has your relationship with Christ become boring, predictable, managed? New arrivals in the kingdom eagerly explore all Christ can do, and He never disappoints them. But the people who lived around Christ back then would take Him for granted.

The other danger of those is an even greater one, and that is that even though you've known all about Him for years, you don't know Him personally. You've never actually had a personal, saving transaction with Jesus Christ at His cross. You could be a candidate to be one of the smartest people in hell, with all the knowledge but no relationship.

If you're not really sure you belong to Him - you believe things about Him - but you've never really given yourself to Him, let this be your day. Make it real! Go to our website and let me help you there make sure you belong to Him. That's ANewStory.com.

One of the greatest tragedies of all eternity would be if you've been around Jesus your whole life and you missed Him...and you missed heaven.