To be fully HUMAN — A Daily Reflection

      

 

        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.

       "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 hunger 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;
       upon them he has set the world.

       He will guard the feet of his saints,
       but the wicked will be silenced in darkness.
       "It is not by strength that one prevails;

       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."

When I read Hannah’s song of praise, I stand in total admiration for her.  When she sang this song, it had to be one of the most joyful and yet most incredibly painful times of her life.  After all those years of barrenness, she had finally borne a child.  And then she had given that child to God’s service, leaving him to live with Eli where she would only be able to see him once a year.  In the midst of her pain, Hannah rejoiced in God’s goodness.

Stop.  Right now.  Examine your current situation.  It may be that your life is rotten right now.  Or it may be pretty good.  Now.  No matter what your situation, scoot back from your computer monitor, lift your hands and your face toward heaven and praise God.  Call out His name and tell Him you love Him.  Sing Him a song.  If you can’t think of any words, open your Bible and read Psalm 8 to Him.  Shout the words with joy.  Don’t ask Him for anything.  Don’t discuss any problems with Him right now.  Don’t think about the problems, either.  Just worship.  Worship!  Spend the next moments – however many you will – rejoicing and loving Him simply because He is God.