May 11, 2025
“… they brought the boy to Eli, and she said to him, ‘As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord. ’ And he worshiped the Lord there.” ~ 1 Samuel 1:25-28 ~
What a bitter/sweet story begins the book of 1 Samuel in the Old Testament. Hannah, married, but seemingly unable to bear a child Desperate times of prayer and petition before the Lord Promises made in prayer Answers to prayer, conveyed through Eli, the priest God’s provision of a son, Samuel Amother presenting that same son to God, as promised before he was conceived.
I often wonder when and who told that story to Samuel? You know that at some point he would find out the circumstances of his birth and why he lived with Eli rather than his own parents. We’re never told the answer to my question, but we do see in the story of Samuel’s life what I believe to be the power of a mother who takes prayer for her children seriously. Samuel grew up to be one the greatest prophets in the history of Israel. He anointed both of the first two kings of Israel. He maintained an intimate relationship with God throughout his lifetime.
Hundreds of years later, a young, virgin, teenage girl was told she would be the mother of the Messiah.And Mary sang out:
“… My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant...” ~ Luke 1:46-48 ~
We can only imagine the hours of prayer she must have invested in lifting Jesus before His heavenly father in prayer. I doubt any of us can begin to understand the hours of anguished prayer she must have endured as Jesus hung on the cross.And yet, here also was a man who lived out His life’s purpose before God the Father.
On the cross, Jesus was still a son.Ason of Mary. Seeing her at the foot of the cross, His love for His mother the mother who had done all that a loving mother can do Jesus did for her all that a loving son could do. He took care not only of her eternal future He took care of her immediate physical, emotional, and relational needs as well.
“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” ~ John 19:26-27 (NIV) ~
Mothers and women, I want you to know how very much you are loved and appreciated here at First Southern. Your relationship with God impacts every facet of your home life and also of our church life. You are indispensable! My prayer is that each of you will have a gloriously blessed day on Sunday.
Let me leave you with an insightful quote from a past President:
“From my mother I learned the value of prayer, how to have dreams and believe I could make them come true.” ~ Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States. ~
Blessings on your week as you prayerfully spend time with Jesus and maybe all of us who are parents might consider adding extra prayer time into our schedules to pray specifically for our children. Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday (Mother’s Day) in worship with us as we look at THE VALUE OFAWOMAN.
Pastor Terrell
P.S. Don’t forget to thank your mother in some special way this weekend!
