MISERY

The Seventh Sunday in Eastertide

1 SAMUEL 1:11 (MSG)
Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried—inconsolably. Then she made a vow:
   Oh, God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
   If you’ll take a good, hard look at my pain,
   If you’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me
   By giving me a son,
   I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to you.
   I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline.

LUKE 1:57-58 (MSG)
When Elizabeth was full-term in her pregnancy, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives, seeing that God had overwhelmed her with mercy, celebrated with her.

THE ESSENCE
God responds to the miseries of the people striving to live according to his direction. 

DAILY FODDER
Is the author of 1 Samuel suggesting that we should feel free to negotiate with God when we are desperate, or that even when we succumb to the foolishness of trying to negotiate outcomes with him, he still hears and cares about us? How else might you interpret the point of this verse?

PRAYER 
Merciful God, I'm grateful that you are aware of our misery and are willing to intervene. Forgive me for presumptuously assuming I know the best outcomes for the situation. Grant me enough awareness that I can, with your help, align my purposes with yours. I'm not going to let the pain I'm experiencing distract me from seeking your desired outcomes. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.