also kept a promise that she made—that
she would give the child back to God. She
kept her promise to God and Samuel even-
tually became the last of Israel's judges, a
prophet, and counselor to kings Saul and
David. Hannah had a lasting influence on
history. We learn a powerful message from
Hannah—that when your greatest desire
is to give glory to God, he will grant your
request. – 1 Samuel 1: 1-17; 1 Samuel 1: 19; 1
Samuel 1:24-28; 1 Samuel 2:11
MARY AND MARTHA: HOSPITALIT Y
AND LOVE FOR JESUS (“FOCUSED
MARY & DISTRACTED MARTHA”)
Luke 10:38-42 provides a story of Jesus
and his disciples visiting the home of Mary
and Martha, sisters of Lazarus who Jesus
raised from the dead. Both sisters loved
Jesus and were pleased that Jesus and the
8 HimPower March/April 2019
disciples stopped to visit with them. The
two sisters engaged in quite different behav-
iors when Jesus arrived at Martha’s home.
Martha scurried around preparing the meal
and serving the guests, while Mary opted to
sit at the feet of Jesus to simply spend time
with him. Of course, Martha was bothered
by Mary’s failure to help with all the prepa-
ration. Jesus responded to Martha’s rebuke
of Mary,
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you
are worried and upset about many things, but
few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary
has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken
away from her." (Luke 10:41-42, NIV)
The response reminds us that life is
full of distractions. Mary was intentionally
focused on Jesus. Martha was intentionally
focused on taking care of Jesus. We can
probably see a little of Mary and a little of