December 20 2005 1 Sam 2:1-10
December 20, 2005 1 Samuel 2:1-10
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1 Samuel 2:1-10 “Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory. "There is no Holy One like the LORD, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them he has set the world. "He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might does one prevail. The LORD! His adversaries shall be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed."
Have you ever want something so badly that you could hardly think of anything else? That is the way it was for Hannah, wife of the Elkanah. More than anything, Hannah wanted a child. Unfortunately, Hannah was barren. To make matters worse, Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, had many children. She viciously taunted Hannah about her childlessness. So Hannah went to the temple at Shiloh and prayed earnestly for a child. In time God gave Hannah her heart’s desire - a child. She named him Samuel (meaning “asked of God). Because as she said, “I asked the Lord for him.”
Hannah then prayed a beautiful prayer of thanks. That prayer is the scripture passage for this devotional and well worth the effort of reading. She let the Lord know of her gratitude and thankfulness for the gift of her son. She praised the Lord and blessed his holy name. But Hannah took her thanks even further. After the child was weaned she took him to the temple to serve the Lord under the priest, Eli. She told Eli, “For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me my petition which I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is lent to the Lord.” Samuel became a great priest and prophet of the Lord.
Can you imagine being so grateful for receiving the one thing you wanted more than anything else that you were willing to give it up? Hannah was so filled with love and gratitude to God that she gave her precious son into God’s service.
As we near the very holiest of nights, may we turn our hearts and thanksgiving to God for all he has done for us. Like Hannah let us glorify and praise the name of the Lord. Let us magnify God’s name for the greatest gift of all - the gift of Jesus. May we always remember Hannah’s beautiful prayer of thanks and praise.
Gracious God, we have so much to be thankful for. May we never forget to stop and praise your holy name. Thank you for the gift of your Son in whose name we pray. Amen.
Contributed by Nancy Conlan
Click here for today’s podcast!
1 Samuel 2:1-10 “Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory. "There is no Holy One like the LORD, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them he has set the world. "He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might does one prevail. The LORD! His adversaries shall be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed."
Have you ever want something so badly that you could hardly think of anything else? That is the way it was for Hannah, wife of the Elkanah. More than anything, Hannah wanted a child. Unfortunately, Hannah was barren. To make matters worse, Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, had many children. She viciously taunted Hannah about her childlessness. So Hannah went to the temple at Shiloh and prayed earnestly for a child. In time God gave Hannah her heart’s desire - a child. She named him Samuel (meaning “asked of God). Because as she said, “I asked the Lord for him.”
Hannah then prayed a beautiful prayer of thanks. That prayer is the scripture passage for this devotional and well worth the effort of reading. She let the Lord know of her gratitude and thankfulness for the gift of her son. She praised the Lord and blessed his holy name. But Hannah took her thanks even further. After the child was weaned she took him to the temple to serve the Lord under the priest, Eli. She told Eli, “For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me my petition which I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is lent to the Lord.” Samuel became a great priest and prophet of the Lord.
Can you imagine being so grateful for receiving the one thing you wanted more than anything else that you were willing to give it up? Hannah was so filled with love and gratitude to God that she gave her precious son into God’s service.
As we near the very holiest of nights, may we turn our hearts and thanksgiving to God for all he has done for us. Like Hannah let us glorify and praise the name of the Lord. Let us magnify God’s name for the greatest gift of all - the gift of Jesus. May we always remember Hannah’s beautiful prayer of thanks and praise.
Gracious God, we have so much to be thankful for. May we never forget to stop and praise your holy name. Thank you for the gift of your Son in whose name we pray. Amen.
Contributed by Nancy Conlan
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