Hannah suffered a common fate. Married to a good man, she desired a child, but none came. After much begging and weeping and pleading, a son arrived. Hannah’s prayer of thankfulness reminds me of the source of all things that make life wonderful.

My heart rejoices in the Lord…it is not by strength that one prevails…He will guard the feet of his faithful servants.

Brute force rarely opens marvelous doors. The Lord blessed Hannah with a baby at a time when all she could do was wait for a pregnancy. No other treatments existed. No amount of strength would force that door.

I notice the best doors in my life open gradually. For instance, good relationships come slowly, with understanding and kindness and forgiveness, not force. A fine meal arrives to the table thanks to the skill of the chef, not her strength. No power is required to enjoy a quiet stroll in the woods.

Hannah’s prayer points me to God. Through the Lord barren women bear children, and through the Lord I may prevail.

Thank you Lord, that I’m not dependent on my strength, but on you.

1 Samuel 2 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Jennifer Griffin

Open-minded people, when discussing ways to perhaps reach God, often tell us there are many paths to the top of the mountain.

Peter and John rejected such pablum. In a speech before the hostile ruling council of Jerusalem, they spoke authoritatively about Jesus—Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

Their astonishing statement brought this group of highly educated religious leaders up short. Jesus didn’t figure into their salvation plans. Uneducated men (who spent three years with Jesus) flummoxed the priests.

Peter’s words cause consternation today. Salvation is found in no one else? Think on it. While many paths may get you to the foot of the mountain, only one gets you to the top.

The path carved by Jesus.

Acts 4 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by trail

None of us in our craziest imaginings would have seen the young Saul as the future committed missionary we now know as Paul. The first mention of him tells of his presence at the stoning of Stephen, where he cheered as he kept an eye on the belongings of those smashing the saint.

Hatred filled, Saul launched into a binge of persecutions against early Christ followers. He pursued this new calling not for a few months, but for a few years. His reputation as a guardian of his faith, and an unsparing opponent of Christianity, spread broadly. He was an influencer with vengeance.

Then Jesus blinded Saul on the road to Damascus and seared the evil from his soul. By his new name, Paul led the explosive growth of the church of Jesus Christ across the Roman world. His efforts ensured his own martyrdom in Rome. I wonder who watched the coats?

From Saul’s conversion we realize that no heart remains closed if the Lord chooses to open it. The Lord overpowers anyone he wishes. I find myself praying for all sorts of people, those I know or only read about, asking the Lord to blind them with His light. Only a searing brings certain folks to faith.

Pray for those you consider too far gone. Who knows what Saul lives in our midst?

Acts 8 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by James Day

As a boy serving in the house of the Lord, Samuel received a startling vision. His mentor and chief priest, Eli, coaxed the revelation from the unwilling Samuel. The reason for Samuel’s hesitancy? The Lord promised to punish Eli’s family, whose sons blasphemed God in their role as priests and Eli failed to discipline them.

Eli responded, He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.

All options exhausted, Eli took comfort in the impending judgement. After years of failing to restrain his sons, either from lack of power, or more likely lack of will, Eli knew the situation must change. He also realized the future of Israel lay not within his family lineage, but with the boy who stood trembling before him.

Faith in God comes in various flavors. Joyous faith, desperate faith, a calming faith and faith that pushes us out of our comfort zone. In this situation, Eli voiced relief that the Lord stood ready to set things right, even if it meant judgement on his house.

The Lord remains present in our moments of withdrawal or acquiescence. It’s good to give in to the plans God has for us, even if they involve his discipline. Eli’s words turn into a prayer appropriate for every situation we face:

Lord, I rest in you. Do what is good in your eyes.

1 Samuel 3 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Marco Bianchetti