Sweet and Sour

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very now and then, I get a craving for Chinese food.  When this happens, there is no use fighting the urge.  So, I do what any sane person would do: I put down my books, clear my calendar, grab my debit card, and head to the nearest Chinese restaurant offering an all-you-can-eat buffet.  There are several of these restaurants in the immediate area; and since I don't want to show favoritism of any kind, I visit all of them on a revolving basis.

A few weekends ago, the urge struck; and struck hard!  I arrived at the restaurant and, much to my satisfaction, discovered there was no line, meaning my adventure could begin immediately. After the host seated me, I went to the buffet bar and began the long, difficult task of deciding what to eat.  It all looked so good!  It took me several minutes to make my selection. Of all the things I tried that day, one entree particularly stands out in my mind. 

The sweet and sour chicken was exceptionally good, especially with fried rice.  I have never been able to understand completely how something can be both sweet and sour.  These are completely opposite ideas and tastes that seemingly don't belong together.  However, when combined in the right proportions, they render a unique taste that is very distinct and memorable.

The Old Testament book of 1 Samuel opens with such an experience in the life of

Hannah, the mother of Samuel, the prophet who would crown David king of all Israel.  Her story is one of persistence, encouragement, and victory.  Hannah teaches us a great lesson about bringing the desires of our hearts to God because He is still in the business of answering prayer and caring for His children.

1 Samuel 1:10 gives us a picture of Hannah's situation.  This passage of scripture reads, "And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish." Have you ever been there?  Have you ever come to God in bitterness of soul?  Has your heart every been broken, really broken, that it seemed nothing would repair it?  Have you ever found yourself in hopeless circumstances where no one understood you and it seemed everyone taunted and ridiculed you? Well then, you understand how Hannah must have felt.

Hannah was in a hopeless situation.  At this time, the ability to have children, especially male children, was essential for a married woman.  Barren women were given low social status because they couldn't produce offspring.  Perhaps this is why Peninnah taunted Hannah, constantly reminding her that she was of little or no value.  Nevertheless, Hannah endured the insults, she endured the constant nagging, and she took her request to God.

At the altar, she prayed from her heart, and wept.  In that prayer, she poured out her heart to God.  She laid her desire for a son on the altar.  She wept bitterly and openly, telling God exactly what she wanted.  Eli the priest saw her and believed she was drunk.   Although she moved her lips, she made no sound but prayed to God out of the depths of her sorrow.  She promised God that if he granted her request for a son, she would give him back and he would dedicate his life to God's service.

This is how we are to pray.  We must come to God seriously, knowing He is the only one who can meet our needs.  We must also come consistently, being ever diligent in our prayers and in our requests before His throne.  Hannah came yearly, making the same request, praying the same prayer, knowing and believing God could grant her requests. 

This is Hannah's great secret.  So often, we come to God in a half-hearted fashion, praying for perhaps a few minutes and then expecting Him to act according to our wishes.  However, Hannah came with a heavy heart, a heart with a purpose, a heart with a great desire, and a heart that was willing to give up the very thing it requested.  That is the decisive factor isn't it?  We want God to act on our behalf, but seldom, if ever, are we willing to give Him that which we hold most dear.  Hannah was willing, willing to give all that she had to glorify God.

This is the type of prayer God honors.  This is the kind of prayer that makes a difference.  This is the kind of prayer God seeks from those who want a true relationship with Him.  This prayer, proceeding from the inmost parts, is the kind of prayer God uses.  The end of the story is wonderful! God gave Hannah a son she named Samuel.  As promised, she brought him back to the temple and dedicated him to God's service.  She visited him each year and brought him something to wear.       

What was the result of this prayer and sacrifice on Hannah's part?  Look at the closing passages of Chapter 3, "So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the Lord. Then the Lord appeared again in Shiloh. For the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord. And the word of Samuel came to all Israel."

What a testimony to Hannah's faithfulness to God this is.  What a testimony to us that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.  Have you ever wondered that God's blessings on your life might be the direct results of prayer and sacrifice on the part of someone else?  We never know the influence we can have for God if we will just come to Him, earnestly and faithfully submit our requests, and leave them in His hands.  So, the next time you are spiritually hungry, consider something that is sweet and sour!  I think you'll find it the most satisfying and fulfilling choice you can make!