We love the words of Jesus: “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
I am reminded of a godly woman from long ago named Hannah. There are so many lessons to be learned from the opening chapters of 1 Samuel, but perhaps none is more applicable today than Hannah’s vow from 1:11 – “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”
Hannah wanted a child so much that she was willing to give that child up if the Lord so blessed her. As we know, Hannah gave birth to Samuel (Literally, his Hebrew name means “heard by God.”) and kept her vow once she weaned him. I cannot imagine the emotions as Hannah took young Samuel up to the house of the Lord in Shiloh and presented him to Eli. Listen to her words to the priest in 1 Samuel 1:27-28 –“For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.”
God expects no less of parents today than to give our children back to Him. This begins by bringing them to the house of the Lord! Ephesians 6:4 reiterates this principle for parents: “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”