What’s the Best Thing That’s Ever Happened to You?

A Series on Living in the Wilderness
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
1 Samuel 1:1-20

 [In this series, we will be looking at people in the Bible who lived in the wilderness. Not necessarily a wilderness of natural creation, but the metaphorical wilderness of life. In fact, there are times when we all feel like we are living in the wilderness. During those times, it’s important to remember that the Lord is still with you.]

  

In the 2007 movie “The Game Plan”, the plot revolves around football star Joe Kingman, played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Peyton, the daughter he never knew he had. Kingman is a self-absorbed NFL quarterback; while Peyton is as sweet as pie.

 

She shows up, unannounced, at the door of his bachelor penthouse, with one question on her mind… “What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you Joe?” She never hears the answer she wants, until the end of the movie.

 

How would you answer the question, “What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you?” If you finally got it, would you be willing to give it up? Hannah did.

 

Hannah lived in the wilderness. It was the wilderness of being barren in a culture that praised women who bore children. It was the wilderness of her rival, her husband’s other wife, who would taunt her mercilessly for being barren. It was the wilderness of her insensitive husband who thought being married to him was better than having ten sons.

 

There’s no doubt that Hannah lived in the wilderness. And even though she suffered great pain and anguish, she made this vow to the Lord.

 

¹⁰ In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. ¹¹ And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life…       NIV

 

Hannah remained faithful to the Lord when it would have been very, very easy to stray away from Him. She persevered in her faith and prayers. Even when she “was in deep anguish, crying bitterly “, she prayed to the Lord.

 

The most important question to ask yourself is not, “What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you?” But, “How do you respond when you don’t get the most important thing”? Do you stop hoping; stop trusting; stop praying? Do you think that you can’t trust the Lord anymore?

 

Following the birth and dedication of her son Samuel, Hannah prayed this prayer. Let it be my prayer; let it be yours. To the Lord Almighty... "The Rock".

 

“My heart rejoices in the Lord!
    The Lord has made me strong.
Now I have an answer for my enemies;
    I rejoice because you rescued me.
² No one is holy like the Lord!
    There is no one besides you;
    there is no Rock like our God.              NLT

 

Copyright 2021 Joseph B Williams