1 Samuel 1:17-18 NIV
17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”
18 She said, “May your servant find favour in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.
Realising that he has misunderstood Hannah’s situation, Eli regroups and seeks to discern God’s response to Hannah, acting in his role as priest. Realising that God’s response is positive, he relays this and encourages her to go in peace. How is Eli’s response encouraging? Three ways. ‘Go in peace’ has the sense of ‘go into peace’, things may be difficult now, but they are going to get better, you will know wholeness. How does he know this? Because God is the God of Israel, he is the God of her people and is ‘on their side’. Finally, because he is on her side, he will answer her prayer. As Christians, we are in Christ, part of God’s family. Just as God was with Hannah, so he is with us and for us. What difference could this knowledge mean to you?
Is there an area in your life where you don’t know wholeness? Bring that to God knowing he is on your side and knows what is best for you.
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