Friday 30^th June 2006

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a manchild, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.” 1 Sam 1:10 – 11 KJV

 

If you have been following this week’s devotionals on answered prayer, be encouraged by this testimony. I am of a poor background and grew up in bitterness of soul as mum and dad could not always afford what the family of 5 brothers and a sister wanted.

 

However, thank God for the problems we experienced in life for this taught us to pray, trust in him and literary cry for his help.

 

I remember vividly the scripture quoted above about Hannah being preached to me when I was desperately in need of being lifted out poverty. I was sick and tired of this evil until one day God got me to a place where I cried “Lord of hosts, deliver me from this curse! If you do, then I am really going to know that you love me as you say you do. As for me, when you prosper me, I make this vow to you. I will give you a tithe of my income according to your word in Malachi, 3:10 and I will serve you for the rest of my life.”

 

The rest is history and here I am by his grace serving the Lord at St Matthew’s and bearing so much fruit in the ministry and the lives of others less privileged than myself!

 

By the way, to show his faithfulness, this is the first time I have been requested to serve you by writing daily devotionals. And what a way to start other than the subject of answered prayer. To tell the truth, I don’t know where this came from. But what I know is I have been praying for a word for you everyday. I hope I have been a blessing to you.

 

P.S. When you make a vow to God, be quick to deliver it for trials and tribulations will certainly come, but this will be merely to prove your faith!  Also remember when God gives you a vision or promise, it will mainly be for you.  But when the blessing comes, it will be for you, your family and many others (read the story of Rahab, etc)