#soap # 1 Samuel 01 ## Title: Strength to Finish Strong ## Scripture: (1 Samuel 1:23) Then her husband Elkanah said to her, “Do what you think best. Stay until you have weaned him. Only may the Lord fulfill his promise.” So the woman stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him. (NET) ## Observation: This is a bittersweet story. Hannah prayed for a child and the Lord gave her one. This wasn’t just any child. God used this child to be the last judge of Israel and to anoint Israel’s first two kings. However, when God blesses us, it’s important that we do our part and finish strong. She promised the Lord she would give the child back to Him for ministry. I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been to pray for a child, get one, then have to be separated from that child. Samuel didn’t die. She still had access. She just wasn’t able to be close to him every day. We have to remember to finish strong and do what God asks us when He blesses. That might look like giving a tithe when you get the raise, raising your family in church, and/or anything else that requires faithfulness. It’s always worth it. ## Application: Be faithful because God has been faithful to you. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for being so faithful to us.