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

 

 

By Comparison

 Continuing a Series on “Living by Faith”
 (Use the link below to read the verses.)
1 Samuel 12:1-11; Hebrews 11:32-34

[Hebrews 11 is a recounting of the Heroes of the Faith. Each person is commended for living “by faith”. Following these commendations we read, “Therefore, because you are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses… throw off sin; run with perseverance; fix your eyes on Jesus”. In other words, continue to live “by faith”.]

We live in a world that thrives on comparison. It starts at an early age. Mothers compare
their babies. Students compare their grades. Employees compare their paycheck, or the possessions bought with it. Throughout our lives, the message is clear; compare yourself to others to see how you stack up. It’s human nature.

 

Samuel grew up in a relatively good home. His parents observed all the religious traditions of Israel. In fact, his Mother Hannah, dedicated him to the Lord. As a result, he served as a priest, a prophet and a judge.

 

As a priest, he served in the Tabernacle with Eli. As a prophet, the Lord spoke to him when He wasn’t speaking to anyone else. As a judge, Samuel led Israel against the Philistines, and back to the Lord.

 

Samuel was even spoken of in the same breath as Moses. It doesn’t get any better than that. Unless you consider the fact that he is also mentioned in Hebrews 11 as a Hero of the Faith. By all accounts, Samuel was a very impressive guy. All of Israel could not lodge a complaint against him.

 

³ Here I am. If I have done anything wrong, accuse me now in the presence of the Lord and the king he has chosen. Have I taken anybody's cow or anybody's donkey? Have I cheated or oppressed anyone? Have I accepted a bribe from anyone? If I have done any of these things, I will pay back what I have taken.” ⁴ The people answered, “No, you have not cheated us or oppressed us; you have not taken anything from anyone.”         NLT

 

If I compare myself to Samuel, I’m not him… but I am Joe. And the Lord created me with unique gifts, desires and experiences that perfectly fit His plan for my life. This is confirmed to me, when I read the words of David in Psalm 139.

 

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful, I know that full well.     NIV

 

Samuel was not perfect, but he did trust the Lord throughout his life. We can take heart from this and follow his example. And in the same way that the Lord was faithful to Samuel, He is faithful to you, and to me.

 

Therefore, let us live by faith… not by comparison.