1 Samuel 2; Romans 2; Jeremiah 40; Psalm 15,16

“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
    in the Lord my horn^[a] is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
    for I delight in your deliverance.

 “There is no one holy like the Lord;
    there is no one besides you;
    there is no Rock like our God.

“Do not keep talking so proudly
    or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the Lord is a God who knows,
    and by him deeds are weighed.

 “The bows of the warriors are broken,
    but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
    but those who were hungry are hungry no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children,
    but she who has had many sons pines away.

 “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;
     those who oppose the Lord will be broken.
The Most High will thunder from heaven;
    the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.

“He will give strength to his king
    and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

I love reading Hannah’s prayer or proclamation. So much of the Old Testament is historical and story telling, but this quote gives a look right into Hannah’s heart and mind. It shows what her personal view of God was like. What her relationship with Him was like. It inspires me to seek to know Him better, to have a heart bowed low like hers.

I wonder how much influence she had over Samuel in those few years that he was with her as a child. Eli’s family was corrupt, as this same chapter reveals, but Hannah feared God, believed Him, worshiped Him, and I dare say knew Him.  We think of God choosing Samuel, but He also chose Hannah.  From her he raised up a God fearing and God honoring prophet in Samuel.

It inspires me to know Him more and to communicate to my children how great and awesome He is. I want learn  to walk humbly with Him and how to trust in His mighty power, and teach this to my children. A writer I admire once said, “Your children are the most important disciples you will ever have.” This resonated with me, and now as I consider Hannah and Samuel I wonder how much an impact my walk with God can have on my children, and through them on the world.

Lord, help me to remember this, day in and day out, that every moment of my life lived out before my children will have an impact on the world. Show me your greatness,  and teach me to walk humbly and full of faith and confidence in Your power and sovereignty.

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