Hannah: One Simple Consistent Act

You remember the story of Hannah? Barren and despised. Sad and desperate. She goes to the tabernacle and prays to God for a son, promising that if God grants her request that she will give him back to God.


So when God gives Hannah a son, she makes good on her part of the deal and gives him back to God. After dedicating Samuel to God, Hannah returns home. But is her work finished? No. Look at 1 Samuel 2:18-19 (NIV) But Samuel was ministering before the LORD--a boy wearing a linen ephod. Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.

Think about it. Each year Hannah worked to make Samuel an ephod. She could have easily let Eli take care of the boys clothing. She could have easily taken off a few years off and not worried about the son that she had given up. She could have used the time to make clothes for her family. But why did she take the time to make Samuel an ephod?

She was thankful for what God had done. There’s an old saying that says, “That which we too easily attain, we too lightly esteem.” Hannah was so grateful to God for giving her a son that she continued to give to and love her son even after He had been given away. A grateful heart cannot help but give and give unendingly.

Unlike her rival who had many children, but no love and no peace, Hannah gave out of a heart that was full because of what God had done for her. And year after year she gave and lived for the glory.

One simple consistent act made all the difference in the world.