Heart & Soul

Opening Story

How do I struggle with this?

Play Heart & Soul on piano.

As a parent we care deeply about the happiness, the health, and the safety of our child.

Question

How do we all struggle with this?

Do we first and foremost pray for our child’s soul.

Text

What does the Bible say about this?

We could really go deep and discuss the difference between the spirit and the soul but for today’s message we are just going to use the word soul.

Do you care about your soul, or the soul of your child/children?

Matthew 10:28 CSB

28 Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

We all should have a healthy for of God.

It is the old “Wait until your father gets home.” - Well…wait until my heavenly father calls us home!

When you fear God, you do not need to fear man.

Matthew 16:26 CSB

26 For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will anyone give in exchange for his life?

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1 Samuel 1:11 (CSB)

11 Making a vow, she pleaded, “Lord of Armies, if you will take notice of your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give your servant a son, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut.”

Hannah desperately wanted a son, but she was willing to give Him back to God. Are you willing?

1 Samuel 1:15 (CSB)

15 “No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman with a broken heart. I haven’t had any wine or beer; I’ve been pouring out my heart before the Lord.

1 Samuel 1:16 (CSB)

16 Don’t think of me as a wicked woman; I’ve been praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment.”

Hannah clarified her situation with Eli. She was absolutely heart broken. Have you ever been praying so deeply for something that someone thought you were drunk?

1 Samuel 1:20 (CSB)

20 After some time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, because she said, “I requested him from the Lord.”

Don’t miss the “after some time” words. Our prayers are almost never on our timing, but God’s timing is always perfect.

1 Samuel 1:22 (CSB)

22 Hannah did not go and explained to her husband, “After the child is weaned, I’ll take him to appear in the Lord’s presence and to stay there permanently.”

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 1

1:22 The apocryphal book of 2 Maccabees (7:27) suggests Israelite children were weaned at around age three, a custom not unusual in societies where homes lacked running water and where the purity of drinking water was difficult to maintain.

1 Samuel 1:23 (CSB)

23 Her husband, Elkanah, replied, “Do what you think is best, and stay here until you’ve weaned him. May the Lord confirm your word.” So Hannah stayed there and nursed her son until she weaned him.

With Elkanah saying “May the Lord confirm your word.”, He wanted God’s blessing to remain on his son.

1 Samuel 1:27–28 (CSB)

27 I prayed for this boy, and since the Lord gave me what I asked him for,

28 I now give the boy to the Lord. For as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.” Then he worshiped the Lord there.

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 1

1:26–27 Hannah thought it important to testify to Eli, Israel’s high priest, how God had answered her prayer.

1:28 The Hebrew words translated give and given are related to the Hebrew word for “requested,” which also has to do with the meaning of Samuel’s name (v. 20). They literally mean “to give over” or “to grant” what was requested. Hannah had received the son she requested; she now grants him to the LORD for his service.

Application

What should you do about this?

Are you praying to keep your child safe, happy, and healthy - or are you praying for His very soul?

Challenge

How can we all live this out together?

Commit with me to pray for our children like never before. Our world is not a friendly world and there is nothing more important for us to pray for than their very soul.