TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there. 1 Samuel 1:27-28
Read: 1 Samuel 1:11-28
Listen: 1 Samuel 1
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Hannah promises the Lord she will give her son back to him should the Lord see her misery, remember her and grant her one. The Lord does remember her and gives her a son, Samuel. Hannah recognizes God’s incredible generosity and follows through on her promise. She brings Samuel to the Tabernacle when he is a few years old, giving him back to the Lord for his service. She responds to God’s generosity by giving him what is most precious to her.
King David also models tangible gratitude in response to God’s mercy and goodness. God delivers David from near death, and he pours his heart out to God, asking, “What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?” David desires to publicly give back to the Lord for all he’s done. David calls on the name of the Lord and fulfills his vows to the Lord in front of the people (Psalms 116:12-14). He is giving back out of gratitude for how God brought him through a breaking point.
We too can give generously back to God for his goodness in bringing us through a breaking point. We might mentor someone suffering from a similar breaking point. We could serve or support a ministry helping people in situations like ours. We might help at a funeral to support other families after we’ve suffered a loss. It could mean sponsoring someone in Alcoholics Anonymous after experiencing recovery. We give back generously out of deep gratitude for what God has done for us.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Reflect on God’s goodness to you and ask him to show you something tangible you can do to give back to him. Share what God reveals with a trusted friend and ask them to hold you accountable to follow through.
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
October is SERVING. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
