Over the holiday period I have been studying the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel to gain a better understanding and perspective on how this hugely influential leader of God came to the place where he was able to serve the Lord fervently. I found that Samuel’s anointing and life’s purpose was made evident from the time of his conception; his mother Hannah was unable to conceive while her husband Elkanah had children to his other wife, Peninnah. For many years Peninnah tormented Hannah and her inability to have the one thing she deeply yearned for – children. Hannah was fervent and relentless in her prayers to God that she would be gifted a son.
It came to pass that after a blessing from Eli, God’s priest, Hannah conceived and vowed that her son would be handed over to the Lord as soon as he was weaned. Once Samuel was weaned he was given over to the Lord to be trained under Eli the priest, and he rose to become a mighty man of God in every way. We read in Chapter 2 Hannah’s prayer where she says after she has handed Samuel to Eli “my heart exalts in the Lord, my strength is exalted in the Lord, my mouth derides my enemies because I rejoice in your salvation. There is no one holy like the Lord, there is none besides you, there is no Rock like our God”.
So here we have a woman who has been granted her heart’s desire to have a child and yet she honours the Lord her God by passing her beloved son into the service and training of becoming a leader for God. This is an incredible sacrifice and we find that Samuel becomes a significant figure in the history of the Jewish people from which Christ is born.
How many of us would be prepared to give up our hearts desire to honour our Heavenly Father? This appears to be lost in our society today. As we approach ANZAC Day and remember those who gave their lives serving our country it is poignant that we reflect how throughout our history ordinary men and women have made choices to ensure that our future is guaranteed through their sacrifice. Hannah made a choice that must have been incredibly hard, and yet in reflection she would have been blessed to see her son grow into a man who through his dedication and service to God, would change the world.
On behalf of the Hillcrest Christian College community I would like to acknowledge all members and relatives of our community who have served our country valiantly and have chosen to put their lives on the line for our freedoms and privileges. As Australians we are incredibly blessed to live in one of the most spectacular places on earth, we have food, shelter and safety and most importantly, are able to worship our God without fear of persecution. The ANZAC’s who served our country had this in mind when they went to protect us and, on ANZAC Day, we honour and remember all those who have and will chose to put everything on the line for our benefit.
Jeff Davis
Principal
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