Hannah's Prayer

“The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. (1 Samuel 2:6, 7, NKJV).

This is part of Hannah's prayer of thanksgiving for the LORD taking away her barrenness and giving her a son, Samuel. It is a surprising to me that in the midst of extolling the LORD's kindness to her, she is succinctly pointing out His sovereign control of everything.`

It is almost brutal in its formulation in that the LORD, without apology or need to justify His purposes, KILLS, MAKES ALIVE, BRINGS DOWN TO THE GRAVE, BRINGS UP (resurrects), MAKES POOR, MAKES RICH, BRINGS LOW (humiliates), and LIFTS UP (exalts).

All this from a woman who is unfailingly described as gentle, loving, righteous, and nurturing... the wife whom Elkanah loved more than his other wife, despite her being barren, and the other wife fertile.

These are remarkable truths and insights from Hannah about her God. She KNEW these characteristics of her God as certainly as she knew that her longed-for son was a gift from above.

I believe these are vitally important truths for us to understand about our God, as well.

I find it strangely comforting that the Lord never makes any excuse or apology for doing the things that He does.  He is not the author of evil, but neither does He avoid responsibility for allowing it to happen. I understand that this is, in part, because He always has His good purposes in view. He always works ALL things together for good to those who love Him.

Even the things that can devastate us in this life.

He allows them for His reasons, which are as far above our thoughts as the heavens are above the earth. And it is, for us, an opportunity to exercise that measure of faith which we have all been dealt. We are to trust Him “through the Valley of the Shadow of Death”.

Remember, Hannah's declaration of God's sovereign power and authority are entwined within her prayer of thanksgiving for her son. She bore the heartache and stigma of being childless for years, until, in God's timing, and in response to her prayers, He gave her the desire of her heart.

And her son, Samuel, was to be one of the greatest prophets and judges of Israel.

Like Job, Hannah knew that the LORD gives and the LORD takes away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

We live in a world that can sometimes appear overwhelmingly dark and evil, but the LORD is in control.

We sometimes can be faced with insurmountable obstacles, pain, or loss, but the LORD is in control.

We are often at the mercy of circumstances that we can't even begin to cope with, but the LORD is in control.

And He DOES work all things together for good. He DOES care for us, even though the world does not.

He has promised a future and a hope. He sent His Son to redeem us from everlasting torment. 

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38, 39, NKJV).

And... For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18, NKJV).

In Him,

Bill L

My Strong Habitation...

Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.--Psalm 71:3

I am redeemed!  You, my God, have set me free!  You are the house of my habitation..in You I live, move and have my being.  You, O Lord, are my house of defense, my strong tower...my rock.  To You and to You alone will I continually resort.  You have given commandment to save me!  Bend down your ear and deliver me speedily from those who are my enemies...from those who desire to see me fall.  For thy namesake lead me and guide me.  Pull me out of the net they have secretly laid for me.  You are my strength and into Your hands I commit my spirit.   I rejoice in Your mercy.....You have considered my trouble and have known my soul in all its adversities.  You have not given me into the hands of my enemies but have set my feet in a wide place.  You are always with me. 

Have mercy on me Lord, for I am in trouble.  Have mercy on me Lord for I am weak.  My soul is consumed with grief and my eyes from crying.  My times are in Your hands.  You hear me when I cry and draw me out of many waters.  My weakness does not place me in jeopardy because You are my strong tower!   Hide me in the secret place of Your tabernacle, show to me Your marvelous kindness.  Make Your face to shine upon me, and save me for thy mercies sake. My hope is in You, my God who preserves the faithful and strengthens the hearts of those who fear You. 

I dwell under the shadow of the Almighty God!  You are my refuge and my fortress...my God in whom I will trust..  You give your angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways and make all things work together for good for me...I am called for Your purposes.   You, Father, know my name and have set Your love upon me.!!   I can come boldly to Your throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  When I call, You will answer.  You will honor me and deliver me and show me Your salvation.  I will be strong and of good courage...I will fear not; nor shall I be afraid:  for the Lord, my God goes with me and will not fail me nor forsake me. Happy am I because my God is the Lord.