God's Mouthpiece

# 18 – Today's Du-votional comes from 1Sa 1:23 And Elkanah her husband said to her, "Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him. Only let the LORD establish His word." Don't you find it strange that Elkanah says, “only let the Lord establish His word?” I mean, wouldn't it make sense to say something like, “Okay, Hannah, you can keep Samuel at home until he is weaned, but then YOU better keep your word to the Lord and give him up to his lifetime of service to the Lord.” The Lord didn't make a vow here did He? Why does His Word need to be established? Well, as a matter of fact He did. He made His promise through His mouthpiece Eli the high priest.” Hannah made a request of God in the form of a vow, and God answered with one of His own. Listen again to 1Sa 1:17 “Then Eli (God's appointed mouthpiece) answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him." Since Eli was a God-appointed authority, this was as if God Himself were speaking. It's the same concept we Lutherans embrace in the practice of the Office of the Keys, whereby the pastor (serving as God's mouthpiece) announces the forgiveness of sins to the congregation through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Lutherans everywhere today will be worshiping in their churches and hear God's mouthpiece say to them: "Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." What comfort for those who confess their sins and receive those words by faith! Elkanah's response to Hannah was a reminder to her that she needed to do her part in cooperating with God, so He could make good on His promise. We cooperate with God in the matter of the Office of the Keys, when we confess that we are sinners in need of God's forgiveness, and by faith in Jesus, simply receive His promise. One more thing regarding God's promises. They will be made good with or without us. Our cooperation is voluntary. But in His mercy, He allows us to be players in working out His will on earth. Let us daily put ourselves in position to be used as vessels for His glory, as we yield to Him!