God Has Heard Your Prayer

1 Samuel 2:9-10, “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, those who oppose the LORD will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven: the LORD will judge the ends of the earth.”

Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 is a song of praise and worship that Hannah offered at the end of the story of Samuel’s birth. It is about the creator God, who protects and reverses human fortunes by His almighty power. We see in 1 Samuel how Hannah deeply trusted God and was fervent in prayer but struggled with her self-worth because she could not have children. She poured out her heart to God and received His word with faith. She portrays faith with patience. Isn’t that difficult sometimes when you are carrying a burden, yet needed? Patience is not always my friend. I admit I have struggled with this. Hannah believed in the sovereignty of God. She saw God as a solid rock (2:2) and knows what we do. She knew God was the supreme judge and sought Him earnestly. God answered Hannah’s prayer and Samuel is born and Hannah brings her son to Eli the priest when he was probably about three, and she states, “Therefore I have lent him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD.” 1 Samuel 1:28.

Now look at 1 Samuel 2:1, where Hannah prayed and said, “My heart rejoices in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.” On the day that Hannah made the enormous sacrifice of her life, she “rejoices in the LORD.” Hannah glorifies the LORD for His guidance and who is righteous and holy. She no doubt had ill feelings towards her husband’s other wife, Peninnah, who had treated her cruelly and caused Hannah great anxiety (1 Sam. 1:6-7). But Hannah subtly references she doesn’t have just one enemy, Peninnah, one person, but God’s enemies are her enemies (Psalm 139:21-22). She viewed Peninnah as a characteristic example of all the proud and arrogant people in the world. “Hannah wisely told the proud [1 Sam. 2:3] to talk no more and to let no arrogance come from your mouth. Pride can be expressed in many ways, but it usually is expressed by our words. It would be better if proud people just did not talk so much.” David Guzik, Blue Letter Commentary. Interesting observation and something to think about.

We are now in July. This year is half over already. God requires us to be faithful in our commitment, trust, and obedience. It takes living it out moment by moment, one day at a time. It is based on our faith, not on our age or position. Cast your cares onto Him as Hannah did, humbly and courageously, being honest and open about your concerns, questions, doubts, and fears. Sometimes, one’s courage in our faith is the size of a mustard seed, as mine is about something, but that is enough, and it is a starting point. God has a way of humbling the strong and exalting the weak. God has heard your prayer. He knows all about it (Hebrews 4:13). Pray and go to God first before you take any action. He will answer you from His holy heaven. Psalm 20:6.

Listen to Newsboys – How Many Times (Official Music Video) just out this week.