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)