Devotions Based on Hymns from Glory to God and Their Scriptural Allusions

READ: I Samuel 1:17

Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.”

I Samuel 1:17 (NRSV)

In Chapter 1 of the Old Testament book of I Samuel, Eli, the priest at Shiloh, thought he would eventually have to silence and possibly evict the woman disturbing the peace of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed fervently to the Lord. She was also weeping bitterly.

Eli noticed her devout prayer which had now become silent as she moved her lips, but no words were heard. Eli had concluded that the woman was intoxicated. Eli confronted Hannah and admonished her to put away her wine at which time she told him she was not drunk as he had perceived. She confided to Eli her anxiety and vexation. Then Eli bid her to go in peace and she did so.

This allusion is to the hymn: Farewell! Good Friends is appropriate as church members are parting. Other similar hymns are: Blest Be the Tie That Binds and God Be With You Till We Meet Again.

Farewell, good friends! Farewell, good friends! Shalom, shalom! Till we meet again, till we meet again, shalom, shalom.

Prayer

O God, watch over us while we are absent one from the other. Keep peace between us and bring us back together that we may enjoy the community and the fellowship we have enjoyed. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.