Transforming Encounter—Two2Grow, Thursday, July 16
Transforming Encounter—Two2Grow, Thursday, July 16
She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. 1 Samuel 1:18 NIV
Today's verse tells the story of Hannah praying at God's tabernacle. Hannah was burdened by the fact that she was childless—to the point that she could no longer eat.
But Hannah knew where to go. She went to the tabernacle of the Lord and prayed, pouring out her heart before Him. After an encounter with God and a word from Him spoken through the priest Eli, Hannah went away completely changed.
She could eat again, and her face was no longer downcast! Her worry was exchanged for peace by the God who saw her and loved her. While she did not receive her child at that very moment, her encounter with God's presence and the word He spoke gave her strength and renewed her faith.
Whenever we have a need or a burden, we should follow Hannah's example and bring it to the Lord, and He will meet us there (see also Philippians 4:6–7). When we trust in God and His promises, the peace of God will follow, and we will no longer be burdened. We will walk away different from the way we came.
An encounter with God transforms us. Like Hannah, who had to wait nine months, we may not always see an immediate answer to prayer. But submitting ourselves and our burdens to Him and trusting that He is in control is enough.
A meeting with Jesus can turn chaos into peace and darkness into light. Let us seek that encounter today!
Lord Jesus, I come before You now. I bring You all my burdens and worries. I trust that You can handle them and that You hold all things in Your hands. I long to be in Your presence and to hear Your voice. Will You meet me here? Amen.
A post by Josephine Stenhammar
Today's verse tells the story of Hannah praying at God's tabernacle. Hannah was burdened by the fact that she was childless—to the point that she could no longer eat.
But Hannah knew where to go. She went to the tabernacle of the Lord and prayed, pouring out her heart before Him. After an encounter with God and a word from Him spoken through the priest Eli, Hannah went away completely changed.
She could eat again, and her face was no longer downcast! Her worry was exchanged for peace by the God who saw her and loved her. While she did not receive her child at that very moment, her encounter with God's presence and the word He spoke gave her strength and renewed her faith.
Whenever we have a need or a burden, we should follow Hannah's example and bring it to the Lord, and He will meet us there (see also Philippians 4:6–7). When we trust in God and His promises, the peace of God will follow, and we will no longer be burdened. We will walk away different from the way we came.
An encounter with God transforms us. Like Hannah, who had to wait nine months, we may not always see an immediate answer to prayer. But submitting ourselves and our burdens to Him and trusting that He is in control is enough.
A meeting with Jesus can turn chaos into peace and darkness into light. Let us seek that encounter today!
Lord Jesus, I come before You now. I bring You all my burdens and worries. I trust that You can handle them and that You hold all things in Your hands. I long to be in Your presence and to hear Your voice. Will You meet me here? Amen.
A post by Josephine Stenhammar