1 Samuel 1:21-28 - The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow. But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever." Elkanah her husband said to her, "Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the Lord establish His word." So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him. And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. And she said, "Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to Him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord." And he worshiped the Lord there.

I can't imagine what it was like for Hannah to leave her young child at the temple, knowing that he would never come home for the rest of his life. Imagine what it must have been like for her. She went on to have more children, sure, and they would have been some comfort. And she made clothing and brought it to Samuel every year when the family came to the temple to worship. Still, it must have hurt. I don't think I could have done it.

I can't imagine what it was like for God the Father to send His Son Jesus into our world born as a human being, never to come home till the end of His life. Imagine (if you can) what it would be like to lose a beloved only Son—for there are no other children staying at home to comfort God the Father!—to lose Jesus to a job that would cost His very life—the work of rescuing people from the power of sin, death, and the devil.

Hannah went through with it because she had made God a promise—that if God gave her a son, she would give him back for the rest of his life. God went through with it because He had made us a promise—a promise that He would give His Son to us as our Savior, and then Jesus would bring all of us who trust in Him home to God's kingdom along with Him. Because Jesus suffered, died, and rose again, now God the Father does have other children at home—all of us, brought there by our Savior Jesus. Thanks be to God!

WE PRAY: Father, thank You for making me Your child through Jesus Your Son. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you think Hannah ever regretted her decision?

2. Do you think God ever regretted His?

3. Because you belong to Jesus, God is your Father and every Christian is your brother or sister. How do you feel about your new family?

Today's Bible Readings: Genesis 27-28    Matthew 18:21-35

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