1 Samuel Chapter 2: 1-11
In today’s devotion we read of Hannah’s song of thanksgiving
to God, a return of praise; in the abundance of a heart deeply affected (for
his favour to her in giving her Samuel and in praise of God’s goodness in her
life)
“My heart rejoices in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the
LORD.
I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
No one is holy like the LORD, for there is none besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.
It is also recorded that this song is a worship Hannah
offered on the very day she left her little Samuel at the tabernacle. Hannah kept
her promise because of the love for God. We do not know, of course, how she may
have struggled in her heart, but so far as the record goes there was not a
moment of hesitation in carrying out her promise to the Lord. On the day she
made the biggest sacrifice of her life she rejoices in the LORD. She chooses to
praise God than dwell in the sadness. she overlooks the gift, and praises the giver;
whereas most often we forget the giver and fasten only on the gift.
For instance, when the first born goes to college, your only
son gets married, or the first day your child steps into school, is one of
mixed feelings isn’t it? You will have been working up to this day for a while:
encouraging them to do their best, and celebrating when they land their place.
But there will be apprehension, too. What if they don’t take to their new life?
And what about you? What if that empty space at home makes you feel lonely?
What would you choose to do?
When we have nothing else to rejoice in, we can rejoice in
the LORD.
The horn is used often as a picture of anointed strength in
the Bible (Psalms 98:6). Hannah spoke of strength and power being exalted in
the LORD (Vs1). In troubled times as this, our strength comes from the Lord.
It’s a supernatural strength that can make you smile at your enemies. Because
we rejoice in our salvation (Vs1). Yes, the Lord is our strength and He fills
our heart with joy (Ps 28:7)
There is none holy like the LORD (Vs 2): To say the LORD is
holy is to say He is completely set apart; that He is unique, and not like any
other. He works in ways we don’t understand but He works to guard the feet
of His faithful servants (VS 9). Hannah was confident in God’s ability to
humble the strong and exalt the weak. This is the confidence we should have.
Let’s ask ourselves today, what keeps us from giving Him
control when we know He is strong enough to handle anything?
There is none beside this perfect God, glory is due unto his
name, to own not only that there is none like Him, but that there is none
besides Him. REJOICE IN THE LORD.
Dear God,
Grant me this spirit to rejoice in you in tough times. I
pray; you’ll keep me in that perfect peace which you have assured to those
whose hearts are secure in you; and let me feel your presence, that in the
hours of stillness I may enjoy the blessed assurance of your love; You are my
rock, my strength and Lord. Amen.
