1 Samuel 2:1 – 11 “At that time Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the LORD in whom my horn is exalted. My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, for I rejoice in Your salvation. There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God. Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by Him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble are equipped with strength. The well-fed hire themselves out for food, but the starving hunger no more. The barren woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many sons pines away.
The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor.
For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world. He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail. Those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder from heaven against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth and will give power to His king. He will exalt the horn of His anointed.”
Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy began ministering to the LORD before Eli the priest.”
Long before the Virgin Mary ever uttered a word of the speech known as the Magnificat, Hannah, the mother of Samuel, gave one of the most wonderful speeches recorded in the Bible. This passage shimmers with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and demonstrates why God chose Hannah to be the mother of one of the most important prophets who ever lived.
For years Hannah had suffered the shame of childlessness! For years Hannah’s rival had tormented her, making sly remarks as they fetched water from the village well, talking behind her back to the neighbors, and doing everything she could to cause Elkanah to put Hannah away, leaving her as the one and only wife. For years Hannah had lived in agony, wondering when her rival’s efforts would be successful and she would be put out of the house to live out the rest of her life in poverty and disgrace. Now God has answered Hannah’s prayers! Hannah has a wonderful handsome son and she has turned her child of promise over to the Lord just as she vowed. Little wonder if Hannah is celebrating! Let’s look at her song of triumph.
““My heart rejoices in the LORD in whom my horn is exalted.” Horns were a sign of strength. Hannah is announcing that it is the Lord who has exalted her strength; clearly, Hannah is giving God credit.
“. There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God.” This is a quote straight from the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32. Hannah has obviously been listening when the Laws of Moses have been read.
“Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by Him actions are weighed.” Without confronting her rival, Hannah is witnessing against the vicious lies she has faced for years.
“The barren woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many sons pines away. The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. “This passage speaks for itself. Hannah is countering the horrible lies that her rival has been spreading around the village. “For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world. He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail. Those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder from heaven against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth and will give power to His king. He will exalt the horn of His anointed.” Long before Samuel ever uttered his first prophecy, Hannah, his mother, was speaking prophetically. God knew what He was doing when He selected Hannah to be Samuel’s mother!
APPLICATION: As I am writing this, Russia is attacking Ukraine while the world watches. Seemingly, there is no way that the Ukrainians can survive… and yet. And yet, God is still the same God who gave Hannah a son and who inspired Hannah to utter this magnificent song of praise. It is estimated that more than 80% of all Ukrainians are fervent believers in Christ. Truly, this conflict is between light and darkness.
Today as we are struggling to find words adequate for the situation in Ukraine, why not pray Hannah’s song as a prayer over the Ukrainian situation? God is still the God of Hannah, the God of Samuel, the God who is a rock and whose ways are perfect.
“. “For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world. He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail. Those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder from heaven against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth and will give power to His king. He will exalt the horn of His anointed.”
PRRAYER: FATHER GOD, DELIVER UKRAINE FROM THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY! CAUSE YOUR NAME TO BE LIFTED UP! CAUSE YOUR NAME TO BE GLORIFIED! CAUSE THOSE OPPRESSORS TO FAIL COMPLETELY! IN THE MIGHTY AND PRECIOUS NAME OF KING JESUS! AMEN!
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