November 20, 2025

WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and a basket of flour and some wine. After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli.

‘Sir, do you remember me?’ Hannah asked. ‘I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.’ And they worshiped the Lord there.”

1 Samuel 1:24–28 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

The story of Hannah is one of deep faith, desperate prayer, and ultimate surrender. She was one of two wives of Elkanah, but unlike the other wife, she was unable to have children. In her culture, barrenness was considered a great shame, and the pain weighed heavily on her.

Each year during their family’s trip to the Temple, Hannah’s sorrow grew deeper. One particular year, she poured her heart out to God in such anguish that the priest, Eli, thought she was drunk. But when Hannah explained that she was praying out of deep grief, Eli blessed her, saying, “May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of Him.”

God answered. Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son, Samuel. But this child came with a vow. In her desperate prayer, Hannah had promised God that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate him fully to the Lord’s service.

True to her word, once Samuel was weaned—likely around age three—Hannah brought him to the Temple and placed him in the care of Eli the priest. Her act of worship was not just a song or a prayer—it was a sacrifice. She gave back to God the very blessing she had prayed for.

In return, God honored Hannah’s faithfulness. Scripture tells us, “And the Lord blessed Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.” (1 Samuel 2:21 NLT)

Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2 overflows with gratitude and worship. Her thanksgiving was not just in words—it was lived out through obedience and surrender.

Samuel would go on to become one of the greatest spiritual leaders in Israel’s history. He wrote Scripture, anointed kings, and guided a nation through a critical transition. Hannah’s sacrifice had generational impact.

Reflection:

Hannah’s story challenges us to consider: What are we willing to give as an act of worship?

It’s one thing to lift our hands and sing during a service. It’s another to surrender something precious—our time, our comfort, our resources, our plans—to honor God.

True worship always costs something. And when we give to God from a thankful heart, He multiplies what we surrender.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, teach me to be a person of true thanksgiving—one who worships not just with words, but with my whole life. Help me to offer You my best as an act of love and trust. Amen.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”