Readings for today: 1 Samuel 1-3
Monica was born in 331 AD to a moderately wealthy family. Though raised as a Christian, she was given in marriage to a non-Christian man named Patricius. Together they had three children who survived infancy. One of them was named Augustine. Monica did not have an easy life. Her husband had a violent temper. Her mother-in-law was a challenge to live with. Her son, though incredibly brilliant, was a happy pagan. All of this could have made Monica bitter and angry but instead she chose to direct her energies to prayer. One by one, her family gave their lives to Christ. Her mother-in-law was won over by her grace and charity. Her husband gave his life to Christ a year before he died. She continued to pray for her son, following him to the city of Milan where he came under the influence of a bishop named Ambrose. As Monica poured her heart out for Augustine to Bishop Ambrose, he is said to have remarked, “I cannot believe a child of such tears shall ever perish.” Augustine soon came to faith and was baptized on Easter in 387AD, becoming one of the most influential Christians in history. After his baptism, his mother told him, “Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now left for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.” She died soon after.
I thought of Monica as I read about the devotion of Hannah this morning. Hannah did not have an easy life. Her barrenness would have been perceived as God’s curse. Her treatment at the hands of her rival, Peninnah, would have been difficult to endure. Most of her community would look on her with pity. It would be easy for Hannah to give into grief and despair. But Hannah turns her energies into prayer. She seeks the Lord with all her heart. She promises to devote her firstborn son to His service if He will simply hear and answer her prayers. God remembers Hannah. He hears her prayers and grants her heart’s desire. Hannah proves faithful. She weans the child and then brings him to Eli so he can be brought up at the Tabernacle which was then located in a city called Shiloh. She never ceases to pray for him. Never ceases to care for him. She even brings him a little robe when she and her husband came up for the annual sacrifice. The impact of her faithful devotion is incredible. Samuel comes to faith at a young age and becomes one of Israel’s greatest judges and prophets.
I imagine all of us can relate even if we don’t have children of our own. All of us know what it’s like to watch a loved one struggle. Perhaps life deals them a bad hand. Perhaps they are struck down with a terrible disease. Perhaps they struggle with their faith. Whatever it may be, it is always tempting to let ourselves become bitter and frustrated and angry with God if He delays in answering our prayers. It’s easy to become impatient or throw in the towel or give up. But faithful people like Hannah and Monica remind us of the power of persistent, devoted prayer.
I have experienced this in my own life. I have prayed over family members for years. I have shed so many tears for them. I have sought God on their behalf. I’ve spent many a sleepless night pacing the floor crying out to God. Sometimes I get frustrated with God. Sometimes I get angry with Him. Sometimes I throw my hands up in despair. But saints like Hannah and Monica and Don and Berk and Daisy and Sam and James and Sarah and Lisa and a host of others have inspired me to keep coming back to the Lord. They have encouraged me to hold fast to God’s promises. To believe God when He says He will never stop pursuing those He loves and He will bring to completion the good work He’s begun.
Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 4-8