Friday, December 20, 2013

My heart rejoiceth in the Lord

(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
1 Samuel 2:1–10, “And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

Hannah was so glad when the Lord answered her prayer that she composed a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. She knew that the Lord alone could make the impossible happen so she gave the Lord all the credit for the birth of this, much longed for, child. Not only was the Lord responsible for her individual joy, He was also responsible for the security and blessings that belonged to the whole nation of Israel. No one should be proud before the Lord because He alone can cause things to prosper and He alone can cause them to fail. It is interesting to note that, in this passage, a distinction is made between the earth and the world. We know that God created the heavens and the earth but, on the other hand, God so loved the world. The Lord has set the world upon the earth. We can take this mean that “the world” refers to all the people while “the earth” refers to the place where all those people are born and die.

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