The Link

“When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it” Ecc.5:4-5 [NIV]

I have heard arguments, several arguments relating to Hannah’s prayer. Some people say the Bible says her voice as not heard so Hannah did not verbalize her prayer. And I say read your Bible properly. Eli sat and watched Hannah from a distance and he did not hear her voice. I am not saying he did but his conclusion was that she was drunk. These people that say Hannah did not say a word so they will not talk when they are praying. When you look at them you will think they are sleeping. When Eli saw Hannah, his conclusion was not that she was sleeping but that she was drunk. So even though he could not hear any words but there was certainly enough dramatics to make him conclude she was drunk. Her passion was on display. In fact, some schools of thought say what happened to Hannah is what used to happen to babies who were being circumcised in the crude old ways back in the day. When the boy’s hit the peak of pain, their cries become inaudible, past the hearing frequency of human beings. Have you not seen people cry, even though you do not hear a sound but you can see their anguish. That is where Hannah was. So do not use Hannah as a reference point for your prayerlessness. Hannah crossed the boundary of pain.

The second thing to observe from Hannah’s prayer is Hannah’s vow. Please read 1 Sam.1:11. A vow is not a covenant. A vow is a promise done by just one party. A covenant is done by two parties; two vows coming together, it is sealed and that becomes a covenant. So Hannah of herself said to God I make you this vow. For some people that may just be the missing link. I have had cases in my life where after I made a vow heaven moved. It was as though God was waiting for me to make the vow. I am not saying God always does that. But the sons of Eli were corrupt, God needed a prophet, and Hannah needed a son. Hannah said to God, “You need a prophet, I need a son. Give me a son and I will give him back to you” [1 Sam.1:11 paraphrased]. What is that thing that you can discern that God needs? God always needs people to serve Him, people to spread the gospel and build His Kingdom, people to feed the poor and take care of the widows. I am not telling you what to do; I am just giving you tips. Yet for some of us the problem is that we have made vows to God but we have not kept them. It is a huge problem, form a spiritual standpoint. Please read Ecclesiastes 5:4-7.

Prayer: Spirit of God, please help bring to my remembrance any and every outstanding vow I have made to the Lord so that I will fulfill it quickly, in Jesus Name.