Scripture text for Monday, February 15th, 2010: 1 Samuel 1:1-3:21
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“My heart rejoices in the LORD. . . . There is no one holy like the LORD: there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2: 1b, 2
Though these chapters are rich with practical theology, especially in regards to prayer, I am drawn to this passage describing our Heavenly Father. Yet, we need to first consider how Hannah related to her Lord: “In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.” (1 Sam. 1:10); “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. . . . I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” (1: 15, 16). Hannah endured great sorrow because of her barrenness.
Usually troubles present us with a fork in the road. We either draw nearer to God or withdraw from Him. We pursue God to help us through our struggles, or we pursue something else to dull the pain of our afflictions. Hannah pursued the Lord. She drew near to Him, and worshiped Him even in the midst of her grief (1:19). She poured out her heart to her Heavenly Father in prayer. Hannah knew from the valleys in her life that “there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” (2:2)
We’ve all been there or will at some point this side of our heavenly home. Last spring, I had the opportunity to experience the strength of my Rock. As the time drew nearer for my twin daughters to be born, the time was also drawing nearer for my mother to go home to Jesus. She had been so very excited for them. Oh, how I grieved that my mother couldn’t make it just another week to know they were born safely. Yet, my Lord was with me through every minute when I couldn’t be with her and my family as she closed in on her finish line. He gave me strength to rejoice over her reunion with her Savior and an end to all suffering and pain. My sister has spoken of the “horrible irony” of my mother’s funeral the day before the birth of my daughters, yet God is merciful. What a joy to think that He knew when my mother would depart, and He is so good to bring new life and joy into my family when we would need it most. Praise the Lord! In all our suffering and pain, draw nearer to God. I know there is no Rock like our God. Pursue Him—in good times and bad pursue Him. He will never let you down!
Devotion prepared by Diane Kelley