A Heart-felt Prayer of Thanksgiving

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Scripture:

1Sam. 2:1  ¶ 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.
 
1Sam. 2:2      ¶ “There is no Holy One like the LORD,
        no one besides you;
        there is no Rock like our God.
1Sam. 2:3     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.
1Sam. 2:4     The bows of the mighty are broken,
        but the feeble gird on strength.
1Sam. 2:5     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.
1Sam. 2:6     The LORD kills and brings to life;
        he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
1Sam. 2:7     The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
        he brings low, he also exalts.
1Sam. 2:8     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.
 
1Sam. 2:9      ¶ “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.
1Sam. 2:10     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.”

Observation:

Hannah had been suffering because she had no children.  This was not her only pain for because of her barrenness every part of her life was affected.  She had no child to raise.  She was not seen as a person of value in society.  She would have no one to care for her in her old age.  Other women humiliated her.  It was a constant and daily reminder that she was a failure in the eyes of the world.

In the midst of her feelings of despair she poured out her heart to God and he answered her prayer.  This now is her prayer of thanksgiving and from Hannah we learn what it means to pray a heart-felt prayer of thanksgiving to God who hears and loves his people.

Application:

My heart is full this morning, full of God’s love.  There are times when I simply feel that there are no words to convey the sense of his deep love that washes over life’s complicated circumstances. I rejoice that there is none like our Holy God  I will choose to trust in the One who has set the pillars of the earth. 

There is none like Him!

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for your love that goes with us through all the issues of life.  Amen.




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