Anesti Ministries

The power of prayer.

The atmosphere of prayer in the home has a deep impact on children. Because Hannah is a prayerful women, Samuel grows up knowing the Lord. If you want your children to grow in the Lord, learn to pray. Here are 8 things we can learn from Hannah’s prayer.

1. God is a firm foundation in uncertain times.
2. Live in humility before God who judges our intentions.
3. God strengthens the weak.
4. God has great compassion for those who have suffered loss and promises restoration.
5. God alone has power over life.
6. God raises up the poor and needy.
7. God protects the faithful but brings judgment on the wicked
8. God will triumph over His enemies.

Knowing the Lord.

The behaviour of Eli’s sons shows us the importance of knowing the Lord. Serving God will never be a substitute for having a relationship with God. Eli’s sons had the wrong attitude when serving because they did not seek to please the Lord. They failed to follow God’s command regarding the sacrifices. By taking the best portion reserved for God for themselves, they led people away from the right understanding of worship. On top of this, they led those who had come to serve God into sin. Eli knew of his sons’ behaviour but failed to correct them. Those who stumble others should beware because they will receive judgment from God.

In contrast, Samuel spends time in God’s presence ministering to Him. And as Samuel spends time pleasing God’s heart through worship, his relationship with God begins to grow. When Hannah left Samuel at the temple, there was a risk that Samuel would be influenced by Eli’s sons. But when you entrust your children to the Lord, God promises to protect them. In chapter 1, Hannah gave her only son to God. But in chapter 2, God blesses her with 5 more children. You can never out give God. When you surrender everything to God, He will never shortchange you. When you offer to God what is most precious to you, He will reward you with greater blessings.

v26 This verse is great advice for those growing up. It teaches us the importance of pursuing favor with God. In Luke 2:52, the same words are also used to describe the way Jesus grew up. There is a correlation between the favor of God and the blessings you receive from being well-liked by others. Favor with God, it leads to favor with people. When you choose to walk in obedience to God, you will find yourself being well-liked by others. You don’t need to chase people’s approval. You only need to seek God’s approval first.

God raises up a faithful priest.

There are times when God sends people to speak a Word in season for your life. God’s does not declare judgment because He wants to take revenge. But He makes it clear that there are consequences to wrong actions. The Levites were the only ones who were allowed to serve in God’s house but Eli’s sons abused that privilege. The punishment for Eli’s sons was so severe because their actions led others away from worshiping God. Prophetic declarations come with a description of specific events to confirm that the message is truly from God. The way to test if a prophetic word is truly from God is to see if the prophecy comes to pass (Deuteronomy 18:22).

v35 Even when man fails, God does not give up. Although Eli’s sons failed as priests, God found Samuel to be a faithful priest. God is looking for servants who will carry out His will. God is looking for people who seeks His desire and not personal agenda. While Samuel is the immediate fulfilment of this prophecy, God’s promise of a priest who ministers forever points to someone else. Hebrews 7:24 tells us that this priest is Jesus. Prophecies in the Bible have an immediate fulfilment and a Christological fulfilment. Jesus is the eternal Son of God who is our faithful high priest (Hebrews 4:14). Jesus not only points us to God but He also made a way for us to have a relationship with God.