“It came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying,“Because I have asked him of the LORD.”
Hannah was a happy lady. She was isolated due to her childless state. She had a bully ever-taunting at home. She described herself as “oppressed in spirit”. She put her hope and trust in the Lord. Hannah left the temple knowing the Lord would provide. Here she is with her newborn. She names him after her prayer, “I have asked him of the Lord”.
Hannah wanted to memorialize this answer to prayer. Many things are permanent. People will tattoo pictures and sayings on themselves. These are reminders and statements to the world about their significance. A person’s name is even more prominent. Hannah wanted the world to know that God answered her. She wanted this son to go through life knowing he is a gift from God.
The Lord wants to answer our prayers. Jesus says in John 16:24, “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” He delights in blessing us. He wants our joy to overflow.
Once Hannah received the word from the priest, she lived confidently, even though she wasn’t pregnant. So we are to live in joyful confidence knowing that the Lord will answer our prayers. Phillipians 4:19 says, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” We have a loving, resourceful God who wants us to ask of Him.
The Lord will give us wisdom in our prayers. Romans 8:26 says, “in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
Lord, thank You that You answer prayer. Give us wisdom as to how to pray. Let us live in confidence knowing that You’ll care for us.