27 I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 28 SO NOW I GIVE HIM TO THE LORD. FOR HIS WHOLE LIFE HE WILL BE GIVEN OVER TO THE LORD.” AND HE WORSHIPPED THE LORD THERE. 1 Samuel 1
God answered Hannah’s prayer and she kept her promise to give him over to the Lord for his whole life. Samuel worshipped the Lord in a particular place, the site of God’s Tabernacle in Israel.
11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but THE BOY MINISTERED BEFORE THE LORD UNDER ELI THE PRIEST. 1 Samuel 2
Samuel was at the heart of worship in Israel and he lived under was Eli, the senior priest of God’s people. From his earliest days he was absorbing the knowledge and ways of the priesthood.
18 But Samuel was ministering before the Lord—a boy wearing a linen ephod. (No mixture and no sweat in linen, priestly garment) 19 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.
Hannah remembered her son, probably with much pride, whenever the family went up to worship the Lord at Shiloh.
20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of THE ONE SHE PRAYED FOR AND GAVE TO THE LORD.” Then they would go home. 21 And THE LORD WAS GRACIOUS TO HANNAH; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord. 1 Samuel 2
THE EARLY PART OF SAMUEL’S LIFE CALLING CENTRED AROUND A SPECIFIC PLACE, THE TABERNACLE OF GOD. Later he would judge all Israel.
For a a long time in my own life I had a desire to have a place that would be used for the Lord. Only later in life, after laying down my work did the way for this open. (A prophet from America spoke, ‘Change, Change, Change’, over my life; God’s Timing.) You may have a longing to do something different, take a new direction, in your own life. DON’T GIVE UP, GOD HASN’T FINISHED WITH YOU YET. THOSE SECRET DESIRES OF YOUR HEART MAY BE FROM GOD HIMSELF. Continue to walk with Him, His Ways and His Timing are perfect!
The Lord bless and keep you today.