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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise I join with Hannah in praise of your glory: “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness” (1 Sam 2:2–9 NIV). Praise the Lord! Today in Your Word Today you told me about the birth of Samuel and the judgment of Eli’s house. Hannah was barren because you had closed her womb, but she did not become bitter toward you or turn to other gods for help. Instead, she poured out her heart to you and asked you to look on her misery. This teaches me that my problems should always drive me to you. You said, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved” (Ps 55:22). Little did Eli know as he watched Hannah’s earnest yet silent prayer, that you were about to raise up a prophet and judge whose life would be a rebuke to the wickedness of his own sons. You called Samuel to speak for you, and Samuel responded in obedience. “Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and He fulfilled everything Samuel prophesied” (1 Sam 3:19 HCSB). This shows me how much you long for those who will say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears” (1 Sam 3:9). You warned Eli twice, once through a man of God and once through Samuel, that his house was about to be judged. But Eli did nothing, and his life ended in tragedy. The ark was captured, his sons were killed, and his neck was broken. Reflection Eli scolded his sons, but he did not discipline them or remove them from service. If I coddle my children and excuse their sin, I dishonor you and set the stage for their ultimate destruction. Request Father, remind me that “whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him” (Prov 13:24). For “folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him” (Prov 22:15). Thanksgiving Thank you for your discipline in my own life. “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Heb 12:11). In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Our Children, Lord, in Faith and Prayer” by Thomas Haweis. Meditation Verse: 1 Samuel 2:29.