Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 ANNUNCIATION TO MARY

1 Samuel 1:9-20

 V18   And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.”

 

                       After being led by the faithful leader Joshua and the steady decline of faithfulness among the people as described in the book of Judges the story of the book of Samuel continues the story of Israel in the land of Canaan. Samuel's story starts with Hannah his mother and her desperate plea to God for a child.  She had to escape the torment and humiliation   in the family from Elkanah's other wife. 

In verse 9, we see that Hannah was deeply distressed and cried bitterly as she prayed to God. She was desperate with her plea to God. After her conversation with Eli, Eli understood her desperation. He felt sympathy on her and told her to go in peace. She had poured out her soul before the Lord.   Finally, God heard her prayer and it seems like she was fit into God's agenda for his people.

Hannah’s vow and promise to God is praiseworthy.   She promised to God that if she gets a child, he will be given back to God, which is a counterproductive statement heard from a mother.  She seemingly denies herself of the possibilities and blessedness of being a mother by dedicating the child to God. But we see here a divine purpose and plan. Samuel shows his purpose as a prophet of God. That ministry proceeds in a complex manner with the people of Israel and Saul up to the anointing of King David. 

In case of the birth of Jesus our Lord, God in the fullness of time, and to fulfill his divine plan of salvation, chose a young Jewish girl, Mary.  Angel Gabriel visited her and announced to her the need for her to cooperate in the divine plan to fulfill the God's salvation plan.  Mary submitted herself in obedience to the will of God and said, “Let it be”. Mary also dedicated her son to God’s ministry and treasured up all these things in her heart.

God intervenes in people's life, and his choice of people for His mission is a mystery. When delays and mysteries of our life burden us, let us remember, God’s delays are not denials. God works out his purpose when we trust God in our moments of desperation.

PRAYER
Lord of the universe, your thoughts and will is beyond our knowledge and wisdom. Help us to pray to you with a sincere and desperate heart, pouring out our heart before you.  Make us useful vessels for your divine purpose and will. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Our sincere and desperate prayers will reach God. His purposes and plans will reach us.

Dr. Sherin Varghese   Baltimore MTC,  MD 

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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