May 11
“Hannah . . . was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, ‘O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life . . .’ And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, ‘How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!’ But Hannah answered and said, ‘No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord . . .’ Then Eli answered and said, ‘Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.’ . . . It came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, ‘Because I have asked for him from the Lord.’” 1 Samuel 1:10-15, 17, 20.
Many years ago in our beloved land, the second Sunday in May was designated as Mother’s Day, a day to remember and honor mothers. Mothers play a major role in the home. We have an ancient proverb that says, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world!” A mother’s influence upon the children determines to a great degree what future influence the children will have in their own homes and in society, in business, and in government.
Dr. Martin Luther said that a mother can accomplish more with her “little finger,” than the father can accomplish with both fists; the thought being that true love can accomplish more than abusive power.
The heart of a woman who wanted to become a mother is given to us by Hannah, one of the two wives of Elkanah. While having two wives was contrary to God’s institution, it was tolerated by God. Of course, it resulted in an unhappy home with strife between the two wives. Scripture also says that the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, so that she was unable to become pregnant. Annually, Elkanah and Hannah made the trip to Shiloh to sacrifice to the Lord; most likely, it was the Passover Festival. At the close of the festival, Hannah went to the tabernacle to pray. Her heart was heavy and she cried as she asked God to give her a baby boy, whom she would place into the tabernacle in service to God all his life.
While she was praying, her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. Eli, the priest, who was not a good gentleman, approached her and asked her how long she was going to be drunk. He suggested that she quit drinking, and quietly go somewhere and sleep off the effects! Hannah informed him that she had not drunk any alcoholic beverage, and that she had been praying. Eli did not apologize for his rudeness, but just told her that the Lord would answer her prayer. In the course of time, God did answer her prayer and gave her a son, whom she named Samuel, which means, “Asked of God.”
Hannah gives all mothers an example of how God-fearing mothers place their children into God’s hands through the power of prayer. Mother’s Day is a day for all to remember the blessings that have come to us through a God-fearing mother. Thank God for a mother who provided for your physical and spiritual needs. Thank God for a mother who taught you to fold your hands and pray, “I am Jesus’ little lamb!” Thank God for a mother who brought you to be baptized, through which you were received into God’s family. Thank God for a mother who taught you God’s Word, through which the Holy Spirit brought you to believe in God the Father, who created you, and in God the Son, who redeemed you by His suffering, death and resurrection. Honor your mother!
Oh, blest the house, whate’er befall, Where Jesus Christ is all in all!
Yea, if He were not dwelling there, How dark and poor and void it were!
Blest such a house, it prospers well, In peace and joy the parents dwell,
And in their children’s lot is shown, How richly God can bless His own. Amen.