Maria Iskander's Blog, page 3
March 13, 2023
5.3.23 Nehemiah 9:5-38 Reflection
After reading Nehemiah 9:5-38, there were three takeaways received.
1. To make memories with God. This means to remember that God is good and that His hand is in our lives. Such memory will help us cope through the darkness that life can bring us.
2. Connection with God. As we keep connected with friends and family, our connection with God needs time and effort. This can be done by prayer, fasting and partaking in Holy Communion.
3. Consistency of God. To acknowledge and appreciate the promise of God being consistent. In spite of out short comings and ever-changing world, He will never leave us.
How lucky must have Nehemiah been to take on these messages first-hand? Nevertheless, his experience lives on as a model for our walk with God. And that is a precious gift indeed.
1. To make memories with God. This means to remember that God is good and that His hand is in our lives. Such memory will help us cope through the darkness that life can bring us.
2. Connection with God. As we keep connected with friends and family, our connection with God needs time and effort. This can be done by prayer, fasting and partaking in Holy Communion.
3. Consistency of God. To acknowledge and appreciate the promise of God being consistent. In spite of out short comings and ever-changing world, He will never leave us.
How lucky must have Nehemiah been to take on these messages first-hand? Nevertheless, his experience lives on as a model for our walk with God. And that is a precious gift indeed.
12.3.23 1 Samuel 1:18 Reflection
The Biblical passage: 1 Samuel 1:18 is a powerful read. Following the life of a righteous woman- Hannah, we the reader, can follow her story of initial challenges. The challenges such as shame and judgement, stemmed from Hannah's predicament of barrenness.
Regarding the notion of character, Hannah was resilient. After all, as the Biblical passage reveals, she continued to worship God even with the shame and judgement of others. Hence, this is a lesson for us all to take Hannah as a role model on how to worship God- even when it hurts.
Turning to the character of Elkanah- Hannah's husband, we learn that he was a righteous man. Not only that, but that he comforted Hannah and never left her side. Hence, we can learn from Elkanah on how to care for one another; especially when our fellow youth/community members are suffering. To add, Samuel, the prophet's involvement in the Biblical passage, was also supportive. After all, he did not rebuke or make irony of Hannah's prayers. Instead, he uplifted her and gave her a prophetic blessing. How kind?
Finally, with reflection on Hannah's prayer in this Biblical passage; we can break it down into the following life lessons:
1. To submit always to God.
2. To attain wisdom from God
3. To grow in knowledge of God
4. To forgive difficult people
5. To live a life of humility
Such life lessons are essential for enhancing our prayer quality and resilience.
Indeed, may we all be a Hannah and proactively trust in God to fulfil His promises- for our current state and future.
Regarding the notion of character, Hannah was resilient. After all, as the Biblical passage reveals, she continued to worship God even with the shame and judgement of others. Hence, this is a lesson for us all to take Hannah as a role model on how to worship God- even when it hurts.
Turning to the character of Elkanah- Hannah's husband, we learn that he was a righteous man. Not only that, but that he comforted Hannah and never left her side. Hence, we can learn from Elkanah on how to care for one another; especially when our fellow youth/community members are suffering. To add, Samuel, the prophet's involvement in the Biblical passage, was also supportive. After all, he did not rebuke or make irony of Hannah's prayers. Instead, he uplifted her and gave her a prophetic blessing. How kind?
Finally, with reflection on Hannah's prayer in this Biblical passage; we can break it down into the following life lessons:
1. To submit always to God.
2. To attain wisdom from God
3. To grow in knowledge of God
4. To forgive difficult people
5. To live a life of humility
Such life lessons are essential for enhancing our prayer quality and resilience.
Indeed, may we all be a Hannah and proactively trust in God to fulfil His promises- for our current state and future.
