I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. (1 Samuel 1:27)
Hannah prayed for a child, and the Lord answered her prayer. She named her son Samuel (the name means “heard by God”) and dedicated him to the Lord. Samuel was an answer to her prayer, and she delighted in delivering her precious child back to the One who had given him to her. Every saint of God has his or her own “Samuel” – a time when God heard and answered a heartfelt prayer. And when our answer is as precious to us as Samuel was to his mother Hannah, we are to dedicate it back to the One who gave it to us.
Our God blesses simply because He is a God of blessing. But oh, how sweet are the blessings received after earnest supplication and continual cries from the heart! Like Hannah, we find ourselves overwhelmed with thanksgiving because of our God’s faithfulness to answer the petitions of His people.
Here is the question that must be answered by every child of God: What “Samuels” has God delivered into my hands through the doorway of prayer? Whatever they may be, let us dedicate them to the Lord, just as Hannah dedicated her son Samuel for God’s glory and the good of others.
My years as a pastor have taught me that the answers to all our prayers are to be consecrated to our Christ, whether the answer is “Yes,” “No,” or “Wait.” What we have received from heaven must be released back to heaven for the glory of the One who has given it to us. All that our God delivers to us must be dedicated back to Him. How much more must we dedicate those things which we cried day and night to receive from His holy hand of mercy?
Let me encourage you to let this be a day marked by unceasing prayer and an unwavering promise that when your answer comes, you will consecrate it for the expansion of God’s kingdom, having given it the name “Samuel,” because you asked of God and He granted you what you asked of Him.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 