The Secret of Thankfulness

 I prayed for this boy, and since the Lord gave me what I asked Him for, I now give the boy to the Lord. For as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.” Then he bowed in worship to the Lord there.

1 Samuel 1:27-28 HCSB

How many times have you prayed for something? Often times, once you have received what you prayed for, you may (or may not) thank God. And then what do you do? Do just take it and use it selfishly, never to give it back to God?

Here is the secret to thankfulness. Give what you receive back to God. Hannah prayed for Samuel and she gave Samuel back to God. And you know what? I bet she never stopped praying for Samuel. She gave him back to God. God gave him to her and she gave him back to God. She had a reason to be thankful. She was childless and the God of the universe gave her a son. How easy it would've been for her to keep him. Of course, she had pledged to God that if He would give her a son, she would give him back to God. But, it's easy to break promises, even to the God of the universe. I mean, we've all done it at some point. But Hannah wasn't that type. She made good on her desperation plea. And because of that, God raised up a mighty prophet who would anoint a man after God's own heart. Samuel was blessed because of Hannah's obedience. Because of her obedience, he grew up to be an amazing prophet and leader.

Hannah must've been one proud mama.

She gave him back to God.

It's easy to be thankful when you view everything as yours.

But when you view it as a gift from God above because of His grace and love and compassion?

It's hard not to be thankful.

Hannah’s Triumphant Prayer

Hannah prayed:

My heart rejoices in the Lord; 
my horn is lifted up by the Lord.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
because I rejoice in Your salvation. 
There is no one holy like the Lord. 
There is no one besides You! 
And there is no rock like our God. 
Do not boast so proudly,
or let arrogant words come out of your mouth,
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and actions are weighed by Him. 
The bows of the warriors are broken, 
but the feeble are clothed with strength. 
Those who are full hire themselves out for food,
but those who are starving hunger no more.
The woman who is childless gives birth to seven, 
but the woman with many sons pines away. 
The Lord brings death and gives life; 
He sends some to Sheol, and He raises others up. 
The Lord brings poverty and gives wealth; 
He humbles and He exalts. 
He raises the poor from the dust 
and lifts the needy from the garbage pile. 
He seats them with noblemen 
and gives them a throne of honor.
For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; 
He has set the world on them. 
He guards the steps of His faithful ones, 
but the wicked perish in darkness, 
for a man does not prevail by his own strength. 
Those who oppose the Lord will be shattered; 
He will thunder in the heavens against them. 
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. 
He will give power to His king;
He will lift up the horn of His anointed.

1 Samuel 2:1-10 HCSB

Some time after giving Samuel to the Lord, Hannah prayed this prayer. It's called "Hannah's Triumphant Prayer." Why is it triumphant? Because she had given Samuel, the son she requested from God, back to God. How is that triumphant? The true triumph isn't in getting what you request from God, or being humble enough to ask for it. The true triumph is in being thankful enough to give it back. Hannah experienced that true triumph and her soul probably welled up with emotion so strong she had to let it out. And what better way to let it out than to tell God how amazing you feel? So she gave an incredible, heartfelt prayer.

An then, Eli blessed her (verse 29) and God saw fit to give her three more sons and two daughters! I think that's evidence she delighted God (it says He payed attention to her need, to be exact). I mean, He didn't have to give her Samuel in the first place. There was probably another barren woman in Israel crying out for a child.

But He did.

And Hannah was grateful.

She was thankful.