Heralds Digest

  “ For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.” So they worshiped the Lord there.” I Samuel 1 : 27 - 28   NKJV The child Samuel may appear to just be an answer to Hannah’s prayer, but the child actually represented a token of a covenant relationship between Hannah and God. For example, the child opens up an intimate relationship between Hannah and God, evidenced by her priestly prayer in Chapter 2. Also, the child became an answer to the restoration of priesthood in Israel. God had intended to terminate the priesthood from the race of Eli, and needed a covenant child to fulfil the need (1 Samuel 2:26). Therefore, when Hannah said “ For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him “, it shows that true prayer is always an engagement between the God of Heaven and man over a covenant child. And whenever ...

  “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” John 10 : 14 NKJV When Jesus says “ I know My sheep ”, He speaks about the deep trust and sincere relationships between a good shepherd and His good sheep. It is one thing for a believer’s faith and trust to claim the knowledge of God’s love and affection; but “ I know My sheep ” is deeper. Therefore, the greatest of achievements for every believer in life is knowing God to the extent God can equally say “ I know My sheep ”. For example, when Ruth finally became a sold-out sheep of the Lord, her needs became the burden of everyone God placed in her life. Naomi had to confess “ My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? ( Ruth 3 : 1 )”; and Boaz goes “ my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman ( Ruth 3 : 11 )”. Likewise today, whenever any believer becomes a sold-out sheep of the Lor...