Returning Back to God
Read 1 Samuel 2:1-11
“There is no one holy like the Lord, Indeed, there is no one besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:2)
Introduction
From humiliation to rejoicing, Hannah's praise offering draws a sharp contrast between two groups of people: the strong and the weak. Despite their differences, both groups share a common truth—God cares about how we conduct ourselves, whether in abundance or in need.
To Those in Privileged Positions (vv. 3-4)
Hannah’s song warns those in positions of privilege:
· Do not boast or act arrogantly.
· Do not misuse your privilege to oppress the weak.
God weighs the actions of the strong and acts on behalf of the weak. When He intervenes, the consequences can be devastating—scattering strength and destroying wealth.
For the Weak Who Put Their Trust in God (vv. 4-8)
Hannah vividly portrays the reversal of her circumstances:
Those who were hungry cease to hunger.
The barren woman is blessed with children, even to the number of seven.
Hannah testifies to the sovereignty of God, who treats the rich and poor alike.
He determines life and death.
The Lord brings down to Sheol and raises up.
From her personal experience, Hannah places her hope in God:
It is the Lord who makes the poor and the rich.
When He brings low, He also exalts.
He raises the poor from the dust.
He lifts the needy from the ash heap to seat them with nobles and grant them an inheritance of honour.
To the Strong and the Weak Alike (vv. 8-11)
We live on the earth that God created. We are called to live godly lives because no wickedness can stand in His presence. No strength or human might can prevail against His judgment.
Whether rich or poor, we are called to seek Him and His Kingdom. As Hannah concludes:
"He will give strength to His king and exalt the horn of His anointed" (1 Samuel 2:10).
Reflection
Hannah’s song is a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty over all aspects of life—both the highs and the lows. The passage aligns with the truth of 1 Samuel 2:10, emphasizing that God is the ultimate judge who exalts the humble and brings down the proud.
Psalm 25:14-15 resonates with this theme. God reveals His covenant to those who fear Him and rely on His strength. Like Hannah, we are called to keep our eyes on the Lord, trusting that He will act on our behalf.
Hannah's experience encourages us to:
Guard our hearts when in positions of privilege, remembering that all we have is by God’s grace.
Place our hope in God during times of need, trusting in His power to transform our circumstances.
Live righteously before God, knowing that He alone determines our outcomes.
This reflection challenges us to walk humbly with God, confident in His justice and faithfulness to those who trust in Him. Let us live with gratitude in abundance and with hope in adversity, knowing that God is sovereign over all.
2 And Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.
2 “There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.
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.
4 The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength.
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.
6 The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts.
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.
9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.
10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah. And the boy[a] was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli the priest.
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