In Samuel chapter 1 we truly meet the spirit of worship in the story of Hannah. Peninnah had children but Hannah was barren, and "her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her" (verse 6 KJV). Hannah in her distress sought the Lord for a son, and her request was granted. As soon as the child was weaned she brought him to the temple in Shiloh and presented him therewith these words: "I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord" (verse 27-28 KJV).
Let us note two phrases here: "The Lord has granted me ... I give him to the Lord." The Lord gave her the child and she gave the child back to the Lord. The sum total of her request was for this child and when she had received all she had craved for, she gave ALL back to the Giver!
Hannah's offering can be truly written that she "WORSHIPPED THE LORD." It is not the person who wants God's grace, but the person who wants God Himself, who can worship Him wholeheartedly! Hannah shows us what was supremely precious to her ... not the answer to prayer, not the grace given but God's way with her in the giving of His gift. God gave Samuel to her and she gave Samuel back to God; and as Samuel passed out of her hands into God's hands, worship emerged from her heart to God's heart.
A similar classic example can be seen in the life of Abraham. Note his remarks to his servants when he was on his way to offer up Issac: "I and the boy go over there. WE WILL WORSHIP ..." (Genesis 22:5 KJV). To Abraham the offering up of his son was not a matter of sacrifice, but it was a matter of worship. For him to worship God was to give his son to God. Abraham recognized this as God's way of receiving worship, so he offered worship in the way that God desired.
To worship God, we need to consecrate our all on His altar. True worship is found in one place - at the altar. When our hands are emptied of all we hold dear, the focus shifts from self to God, and that is worship. It is necessary that "Samuel" pass out of our hands.
WORSHIP IS BOWING TO THE WAYS OF GOD
Watchman Nee - Twelve Basket Full - Vol 2
Copyright (c) TPWC
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