Have you ever been overwhelmed by the goodness of God? By His graciousness and generosity to you?
Often, His goodness flows to us (or is most evident?) in our darkest times. When I was in high school I was determined to go to the Air Force Academy, and when those plans fell through in an unexpected way, I was devastated. But God, in His mercy, used that to bring me into a true relationship with Him, one that eventually led me to become a pastor and to the life I have been blessed with today.
Our text today is Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel. Hannah had been praying faithfully and desperately for a child and God had answered her prayer! Hannah erupted in praise:
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…He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed. (vv. 1-2, 10)
The last words of her prayer “his anointed” in Greek can be translated Christos or Christ. Could this prayer be giving us a glimpse of Jesus? It sure sounds like it. Read Luke 1 and you will see many similarities between Mary’s song and Hannah’s.
Hannah didn’t know it at the time, but the son that God granted her was Samuel, a prophet of the Lord. It would be through her son that the Lord would anoint Israel’s first king, Saul, and its greatest king, David. Hannah’s prayer-song points us to the ultimate fulfillment of kingship in Christ. God changed Hannah’s grief into joy for her and for countless others. God used what was painful and changed it into something amazing. I wonder if Hannah ever knew the true value of the gift God had given her (and the rest of the world through her).
For Reflection:
- When has God’s overwhelming goodness been shown to you after a moment of darkness/desperation?
- How can you express your gratitude and praise to Him today?
by Jim Caler
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