Wow again!
Hannah offers this prayer to the Lord, that is truly awe inspiring. The passion, love, gratitude is palatable. I encourage you to read it in different versions, to appreciate, though I read NIV, and it really spoke to me. (1st Samuel 2:1-11)
How could I even hone in on a favorite part? I think v.6-9 are my favorite part:
The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the Lord's on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness. It is not by strength that one prevails...Then the chapter turns to Eli the head priest and his sons who are supposed to be in honorable service with him. The chapter tells us that his sons are wicked and they treat the Lord's servants and their offerings with disregard, selfishness, greed to obtain raw meat for themselves from vile coercion, plus they "lay with," women from the front gate.
In contrast to Eli's biological sons, Samuel, the Lord's servant grows in stature and character to serve well. His mother brings him a new robe to wear each year, and Samuel's mother and her husband and family grow. Hannah has three more sons and two daughters.
When Eli hears of the evil behavior of his sons, he takes no action and climax builds........ Something big is going to happen.
(v.27-35) A man with prophet knowledge came and warned Eli that because of the behavior of him and his sons (Eli allowing the misbehavior with out actively treating it), that all of his descendants would die in the prime of their life and their sight and energy would be sapped. Further more he was warned that his sons Hophni and Phinehas would die on the same day.
So this chapter goes from glorious and heart-warming because of our faith, to scary and intimidating because of our faith. A different kind of awe inspiring.
......prayer.......
Dear Father in Heaven,
I thank you for the faithfulness, care and goodness that we see reflected in Hannah's prayer. I know that is you. I give my life to you. I trust in You. I want to serve you and bring glory and honor to You. I trust You to fulfill all of my needs, and to lead me, guide, me, and to be my rock!
Oh Lord, I also know that you see all, and you are all wise, and you do have a temper. Well, that is to say that no one can put anything over on You and You will address those that scorn you, or abuse you, or your people. Lord I pray that by your wisdom, I will make wise decisions and where I am in a position to influence or address behavior issues even in others, I pray that I would do so according to YOUR WILL.
Your will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. In Jesus's name I pray, AMEN
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