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Devout souls
delight to look upon those mercies which they have obtained in
answer to supplication, for they can see therein God's special
love for them. Samuel, (his
name means: "asked of God"), was such a mercy
shown to Hannah.
When we can name our blessings they will be as dear to us as
Daniel was to Hannah. Peninnah had many children, but they came as
common blessings unsought in prayer: Hannah's one heaven-given
child was far dearer, because he was the fruit of earnest
pleadings.
How sweet was that water to Samson which he found at "the
well of him that prayed!" Quassia cups turn water bitter, but
the cup of prayer puts a sweetness into it.
Did we pray for the conversion of our children? How doubly sweet,
when they are saved, to see in them our own petitions
fulfilled! Better to rejoice over them as the fruit of our
pleadings than as the fruit of our bodies. Have we sought of the
Lord some choice spiritual gift? When it comes to us it will be
wrapped up in the gold cloth of God's faithfulness and truth, and
so be doubly precious.
Have we petitioned for success in the Lord's work? How joyful is
the prosperity which comes flying upon the wings of prayer! It is
always best to get blessings into our house in the legitimate way,
by the door of prayer; then they are blessings indeed, and not
temptations.
Even when prayer speeds not, the blessings grow all the richer for
the delay; the child Jesus was all the more lovely in the eyes of
Mary when she found him after having sought him sorrowing. That
which we win by prayer we should dedicate to God, as Hannah
dedicated Samuel.
The gift came from heaven, let it go to heaven. Prayer brought it,
gratitude sang over it, let devotion consecrate it. Here will be a
special occasion for saying, "Of thine own have I given unto
thee."
Is prayer your element or your weariness? Which is it?
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