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Hannah — Pain and Prayer

Hannah’s Story: 1 Samuel 1:1–28

In the Word

She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly (1 Samuel 1:10).

Of the Word

Have you ever been the object of ugly teasing? Almost everyone can remember the pain of hateful words. Hannah was the object of ridicule by Elkanah’s other wife. Peninnah had children; Hannah had none. Even Elkanah’s loving words could not soothe the deep hurt.

What was Hannah’s response? Tears. Loss of appetite. But most importantly, prayer. When she and her family made their annual trek to the house of the Lord, she silently but tearfully prayed for a son. Not a big family. Just a son. A son that she would give back to the Lord!

How do we respond to ugliness? Pay back in kind? No! We take our burdens to the Lord, the One Who has the power to heal and restore. We are reminded to, Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved (Psalm 55:22).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, when I am burdened by worries and cares, when ugly words and troublesome people assail me, surround me with Your strength. Help me bring my cares to You and leave them with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Daughters of the King. Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 11/34 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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Ruth — Redeemed

Ruth’s Story: The Book of Ruth

In the Word

“Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16b).

Of the Word

Ruth and Naomi had much in common. Both were widowed, childless, and poor. With love, loyalty, and commitment, Moabite Ruth declared that she would accompany her mother-in-law Naomi back to her old home in Bethlehem. Though Ruth would be a foreigner there, she was not deterred. … where you go, I will go, she declared. (Ruth 1:16b) Their story sounds like a “no win” situation.

But God’s plan changed that! Wealthy Boaz acted as kinsman redeemer, offering to marry Ruth and thus carry on the family name. His act gave home, status, and security to both women.

Without God’s plan for us, we would be in a “no win” situation. We, too, are redeemed, not by a wealthy relative, but by the blood Jesus shed on Calvary. He paid the price for our sins and … delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13–14).

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Father, for the unending grace and mercy You grant me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Daughters of the King. Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 10/34 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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Pacifier Comfort

In the Word

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction … (2 Corinthians 1:3–4a).

Of the Word

It’s amazing how much comfort an infant can get from sucking on a pacifier or a thumb. Crying ceases, calm prevails, and, hopefully, sleep is just around the corner. I am not looking forward to the day when I can no longer count on a pacifier to comfort my discontented daughter!

God knows it isn’t appropriate for us adults to walk around with a pacifier in order to cope with the daily stresses of home, work, and family so He has given us the Comforter: His Holy Spirit.

He provides comfort as we grieve and when we are in distress. His ultimate comfort is the enlightening words of the Gospel: we have been reconciled with God through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Thinking about eternal life with God puts our momentary stresses into perspective!

So cling to the Holy Spirit as an infant clings to a pacifier. Remember He is with you wherever you go. When we look to God for comfort, our crying will cease and calm will prevail.

Walking with my Lord

Holy Spirit, help me remember You will never leave me or forsake me. You are with me wherever I go. Help me reflect Your comfort to others in need. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, author. 12/30 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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Chase

In the Word

Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith (1 Timothy 6:11b–12a).

Of the Word

After my daughter learned to walk, one of her favorite games became “Chase.” She would peek her head through the doorway of the kitchen wanting me to chase her saying, “I’m gonna get you!” When I “got” her, I would pick her up, tickle her, and start the game over again.

When playing “Chase” with newly-walking toddlers, you don’t have to be very fast in order to catch them. Scripture, however, instructs us to vigorously chase the things of God.

St. Paul tells us to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. On our own, we can trip and fall as we chase after these things. But through Christ’s death and resurrection and with the help of the Holy Spirit, these attributes are attainable for us.

Keep your eyes fixed on God by reading His Word, engaging in constant prayer, and taking hold of the victory over sin and death Christ has won for us. Because of His victory, we can be victorious in our pursuit of that which pleases Him.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, send Your Holy Spirit to lead me in my pursuit of righteousness. Forgive me when I chase after the meaningless things of this world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, author. 11/30 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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Nightlight

In the Word

… Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Of the Word

I was a heavy sleeper until the baby came. Now I wake up to every whimper, cry, or movement. Like many new parents, I also wake up every so often just to check on the baby. If I didn’t have a nightlight in every hallway and room, I would never be able to make the trip from my bed to the crib without stubbing a toe.

In the Scriptures, darkness is associated with sin and evil. It is impossible to find our way through the darkness of the world because we are surrounded with our own sin. But Jesus shows us a way out of the darkness. He provides us with a light. Jesus is the way and the light.

Jesus is the light because there is no sin or darkness in Him. Jesus is the way because only through faith in Him can we be reconciled with the Father. So abide in the light and Jesus will show you the way and keep your feet from stumbling. Abide in the light, and He will illuminate the path to eternal life. Abide in the light, and others will see in you a reflection of His glory.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Jesus, I am grateful You are Light in this dark world. Keep my feet sure and steady as I follow You. Enable me to share Your light with the world around me. In Your name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Love, Laughter, and Lullabies. DCE Amanda Stacy, author. 10/30 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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The Dangers of Water

In the Word

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen” (Exodus 14:26).

Of the Word

A gentle stream or a quiet waterfall can be peaceful, even mesmerizing. But the waters of a flash flood or a riptide can very quickly turn dangerous. Just ask the Egyptians! After God parted the waters of the Red Sea, the Israelites crossed on dry ground. Then God commanded Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea, and the waters flowed back, killing the Egyptian army and their horses.

Looking back at our own lives, do we have any proverbial Egyptians chasing us? Maybe it’s a recurring sin, guilt over sins, or a lingering doubt. God has promised us that all these things have been covered by the waters of our Baptism, covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. By God’s grace, they are covered and wiped from His memory. He promises, “… I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:34b).

Walking with my Lord

Only Son of God, through Your death and resurrection all my sins have been covered. Lead me to repentance so I may receive Your loving forgiveness. In Your name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Water of Life. Michael Heckmann, author. 9/28 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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Did You Wash Your Hands?

In the Word

So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves” (Matthew 27:24).

Of the Word

In William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, Macbeth killed the king of Scotland. In an attempt to relieve his guilty conscience, Macbeth tried to wash the king’s blood off his hands but realized not even all the water in the ocean could wash away the blood. Instead, he was convinced the whole ocean would be turned red by his hands.

Pontius Pilate attempted the same thing by washing his hands at Jesus’ trial. He told the crowd that he was innocent of Jesus’ death. Like Pilate, we try to evade responsibility and justify sin. Hand washing cannot do that!

The crowd shouted, “His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25b). And it was — but not in the way they were intending. The blood of Jesus is indeed upon us and our children; not in a condemning way, but in a saving, restoring, sanctifying way. Jesus paid the price for our sins; we have been washed clean; we have been declared innocent.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, Jesus’ blood has washed away my sins. Give me the assurance that through faith and Baptism, I am declared innocent. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Water of Life. Michael Heckmann, author. 8/28 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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