Heart of Thanksgiving
Opening Prayer
As you prepare to read Hannah’s song of thanksgiving, choose one event for which you are especially thankful and praise God for it.
Read 1 Samuel 2:1-11
[1] Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. [2] “There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. [3] “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. [4] “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. [5] Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away. [6] “The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. [7] The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. [8] 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; upon them he has set the world. [9] He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. “It is not by strength that one prevails; [10] those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder against them 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.” [11] Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the LORD under Eli the priest. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What do you learn about the Lord here?If you’re in the company of a new mother, there’s only one topic of conversation. It’s as if no other mother ever gave birth to a baby such as this one. If that new mother was to pray aloud, her prayers are likely to center on the baby, too. “Thank you, Lord, for this amazing gift of a baby. Bless him, Lord.”
Hannah’s prayer is so different. She rejoices over God’s goodness to her (1) but then launches into a song exalting, not her baby, but the Lord who gave her the child. Her emphasis is not on the gift, but on the Giver. When we are excited about a special gift, does our enthusiasm center on the gift? Or are we thrilled with the goodness of the Lord?
This song of praise is steeped in significance. Hannah speaks prophetically of the way God will deal with his people, bringing down the proud and lifting up the poor and needy. The song appears to be the pattern on which Mary, mother of Jesus, builds when she meets Elizabeth (Luke 1:46).
Perhaps this song of praise helped to build up Hannah and Elkanah as they left their little boy and started the long, difficult walk home.
Apply
Recall an event you chose earlier. Thank the Lord, not for the event, but for the way he worked to bring it about.
Closing prayer
Gracious Lord, You have done and continue to do so much for me. Give me a thankful heart, I pray.
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