Sacrifice: Giving God Your All

Sacrifice.

What does that word mean to you? To some, it conjures up biblical images of bulls and lambs and doves being sacrificed on the altar at the temple. To others, including me, the word embodies what Jesus did for us on the cross when he who was sinless bore our sins so that we could be free. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He is the ultimate sacrifice.

In today's society, sacrifice usually means 'going without' something we want or possibly need. Parents often sacrifice time and money to ensure their kids have a good, comfortable life. Being the mother of two young men, I can look back on their growing up years and see a lot of sacrifice on hubby's and my part. I don't know that the boys see it yet, but they will, especially when they become fathers themselves. Just as God the Father willingly sacrificed his Son for us, his children, I believe parents are called to do likewise. Our sacrifices will look different, but the love behind them needs to be the same.

That brings us to Hannah, a mother in the Old Testament. In 1 Samuel 1 and 2, we read the story about a woman who is barren. Her husband, who loves her, has another wife who has given him children. That wife makes Hannah's life miserable to the point of tears, all because of her barrenness. When Hannah accompanies her husband to the temple at Shiloh on their annual trip, she is heavy with her childless state. In 1 Samuel 1:10, she does what each of us needs to do when we are burdened with life's problems. She prays.

"LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."

Hannah is totally sincere in her prayer. She truly means what she says. If God will bless her with a son, she vows to give that child back to God. And you know what? God answered her prayer. He blessed her with a son whom she named Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him." (v. 20)

As a mother, I can well imagine the joy that filled Hannah at the birth of this baby boy. I remember the joy I felt seeing my babies for the first time. I'd prayed for them too, and was so happy in my heart that God looked on me with favor. So when I read what happens next in Hannah's story, I'm awed at her sacrifice.

In verses 24-27 we read that Hannah kept her word to God. When the baby was weaned -- probably at about two-years of age -- she took him back to the temple in Shiloh. The priest, Eli, is there -- he'd blessed her the day she was praying in the temple -- and she goes right up to him and presents her son.

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." (v. 27)

Wow! I simply cannot imagine leaving my two-year-old son there, even if it was a House of God. I can't imagine not seeing my little boy every day, watching him grow, taking care of him. But as much as I think Hannah's heart must have ached for Samuel when she walked away that day, she also had joy.

"My heart rejoices in the Lord," she says in 1 Samuel 2:1. Eli saw her sincerity. God did too. She went home, her arms empty but her heart full. But that's not the end of the story. God was gracious to Hannah. He blessed her with three more sons and two daughters. And Samuel grew up to become the priest whom God would use to anoint the first king of Israel, Saul, and later he would anoint David as king.

Amazing sacrifice always reaps amazing fruit.

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"But the People Grew Impatient..."

Patience.

Ah, that illusive trait. I do not posses it naturally. You? I try. I really do. Most days, anyway. And I'm successful. Most days, anyway. I'm a much more patient person than I used to be, thankfully. I've even been praised by my (former) elderly clients and their families for being so incredibly patient and understanding. Friends would tell me I was a patient mother when my kids were growing up. My kids, bless 'em, knew otherwise. Hubby too.

Now, with all the rich wisdom that comes with age and time, I look back and wonder why was I such an impatient person? Why would I get angry if things didn't happen the moment I thought they should? Why was I in such a rush for this or that?

I'm reading through the Old Testament right now. I'm in the Book of Numbers. If you're not familiar with the Old Testament, it's the story of God's people, the Israelites. It's about their roots, their escape from Egypt where they were enslaved, and their journey to the land God promised to give them. And in reading their story, you can't help but come to one firm conclusion:

The Israelites were some of THE most impatient people ever created! 

Just today, I read Chapter 21. They're headed to the Promised Land. God has delivered them from Pharaoh in a spectacular way, with plagues and clouds of fire and a sea actually parting so they could walk through on dry land. He's provided food when they whined about hunger. He provided water in a dry and dusty desert. Most recently, He gave them victory over their enemies. Look what verses 1-3 say:

"When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked the Israelites and captured some of them. Then Israel made this vow to the LORD: "If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy their cities." The LORD listened to Israel's plea and gave the Canaanites over to them. They completely destroyed them and their towns."

A little backstory to understand what's going on: God commanded the Israelites not to accept the gods in the lands they came into. So, when the Israelites defeated the Canaanites, they had to destroy everything because of the pagan gods and the pagan worship that had taken place in those cities.

God answered their prayers. Again. He delivered them from their enemies. Again. You would think they'd be the most grateful people on earth, right?

Wrong. Here are verses 4 -5:

"They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient along the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food."

The people grew impatient. Wow.

Are you waiting for something God has promised you? Do you feel like you're wandering in the desert? Trust me, I'm right there with you. And I've been more like the Israelites at times than I care to admit. If you keep reading in Numbers 21:6 you see that God didn't put up with their childish temper tantrum. He sent venomous snakes among them. Eeek!

The old saying is true: Patience is a virtue. And virtue is better than venom any day! I think I'll be patient today. You?
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