Hannah longed to have a child. She promised to return this child to God’s service if he granted her desire to have a son. One might read this story and think that this is a unique response to God. But is it?

Many times in life, we attempt to hold onto things we can never really keep. We close our hands and tighten our fingers around people or plans that cannot ultimately be under our control. Freedom comes when we can open our closed fist and offer up all the things God gives us to his plan and purpose.

Hannah understood the principle stated by Jim Elliot, “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” These words were penned by Jim as a young missionary who willingly gave up his life to bring the gospel to the Aucas of Ecuador.

One never knows how their small act of obedience fits into God’s eternal plan. Hannah understood her son was a gift from God, so she released him back to God. Her faith in God’s wisdom and love allowed her to entrust Samuel to God’s plan and purpose. Samuel the child became Samuel the last judge of Israel and the first of the prophets after Moses. He gave God’s judgments to Saul and David and anointed them as kings of Israel.

God, thank you for being a gracious and good gift giver! You have given me so much. I want to offer all I have to your plans and purposes, knowing they are better kept in your hand than in mine. In your love and wisdom, you have the best plans. I want to trust you. Amen.

Throughout This Day: Ask yourself if there is a person or plan that you are holding onto that needs to be relinquished to God’s loving and wise plan and purposes?



Tags: Daily Devotional 1 Samuel 1 Hannah surrender
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