Parents who serve the Lord
Mary and Hannah Mothers who serve the Lord.
There are many similarities between Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Samuel 1-2). As I studied the Magnificat in Luke 1, I began to see the connection between these two women. Mary’s Song mirrors the prayer that Hannah prays in 1 Samuel 2.
However, the similarity I focused on is not from their prayer or song.
Rather, it comes from their understanding of their relationship with God.
She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.
11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
12 As she continued praying before the Lord,
1 Samuel 1:10–12
“O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant…
35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:35–38
Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word…
When I became a father, my perspective on so many things changed. Parents look to the interests and needs of their children. We are concerned with their future and needs. Parents find this innate desire to provide and bless their children.
As I thought about these two great moms, I appreciated their success. Mary successfully raises the incarnate Christ, and Hannah offers up one of the great Old Testament prophets. What can I learn from these moms? What was their success? What example do they provide?
Most of us reflect traits, attitudes, strengths, weaknesses, habits, etc. that we learn from our parents or family. Our parents are a critical example to us. Mary and Hannah offer their sons a beautiful example—that of a humble servant of God.
“O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant…”
“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word…”
Both Mary and Hannah acknowledge their submission to God. They both understand that they are under the sovereign will of God. They will do according to his word.
Hannah offers her desires. Mary offers her service.
What a blessing is it to have parents who understand their service to God!
This example is something I want my own children to see. I have seen it in my biological parents and in many parents in the faith.
God deserves our service and submission. His ways are higher than our ways…
6“Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.Isaiah 55:6-9
When we remember God’s wisdom and divine love and trust him to guide us into what he has planned for us, offering our lives in service to him is the most secure place we can be.
What a blessing are parents who serve the lord…
May we be parents who serve the lord… Blessed are those who had parents who served the Lord. Blessed are those who become servants of the Lord.