Devotion for 6 June 2011 Anno Domini

Devotion for 6 June 2011 Anno Domini
“1And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.2 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.4 The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. 5They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. 6The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed. (1 Sam 2:1-10)
Hannah was one of two wives of Elkanah. The Lord had shut up her womb (showing that it is the Lord who gives conception and demonstrating the murderous nature of abortion). The other wife, Peninnah, had children and often offended Hannah in her chides.
Elkanah loved Hannah more than all, and gave portions to his wives at offering time, but always gave to Hannah a worthy (greater) portion. Hannah prayed to the Lord for a son and promised to give that child to the Lord. The Lord granted her wish and she gave birth to the great prophet, Samuel. Now Hannah does what many of us fail to do after answered prayer - she returns a prayer of praise and beauty to God in gratitude for that answered prayer.
As the Lord has taught us to pray, all prayer should be prefaced by praise –“….. hallowed be they Name.” This, Hannah does to a marked degree, for prayer and praise are inseparable. “And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.” It is a wonderful emotion that follows answered prayer. We always seem to be surprised that God answers. We should know that He will answer if we have prayed aright.
The honor and blessing of motherhood is expressed by Hannah in her comment: “…mine horn is exalted in the Lord.” There was at that time a custom of Hebrew women to wear a small horn over their forehead. If the woman had no children, the horn was worn lower on the forehead and a bit cast down. They used the horn as a hook upon which to attach their face veil. If the woman gave birth to a child, she would raise the horn to a higher point on her forehead thus making known her status as a mother in Israel. The Lord raised (exalted) her horn so that she no longer suffered ridicule and offense. He does that for us today if we are faithful to Him.
All those who ‘appeared so blessed’ are now gone out empty before the Lord’s Handmaiden. Those who were weak has the Lord lifted up, and those who were mighty and strong has He debased. This is the Lord’s work so that none may boast. The Lord both gives, and withholds, the issue of children. “….they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.”
“The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.” The Lord is the Great Divider. He judges between righteousness and wickedness. He orders both to the grave and to the newness of life. Lest we begin to feel that WE have done our successful labors, “The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.” The Lord has placed me where I should be on the scale of plenty. He has not made me wealthy for I might squander or misspend it. He has not made me very poor, either, because I might occupy all my time in labor and neglect the study of His Word.
“He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.” Since all things are His, He will manage the disposition of all things. He has lifted our unbecoming yokes of sin and placed our feet on a sure foundation. That which man considers the worthless remnant of the garment has the Lord taken and multiplied in value and status. Many great Christian witnesses have risen from the ashes of squalor to the heights of the Temple at the Hands of the Lord.
“He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.” How true has this proven in my own life, and yours. He will order the path of the righteous by His Word. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105) and when we stumble, He will set His angels guard over us: “They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” (Psalms 91:12).
“The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.” The strength of the wicked is a mirage. Their regimental hordes cannot approach the Camp of the Saints, for the Lord is our protector and decider of battles. In fact, the battle is the Lord’s. “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:17) And our righteousness is not our own, but the Lord’s.
He will exalt His anointed and His King. Since all power belongs to Him, there remains no possibility of defeat for the saints, but only continual victory from campaign to campaign in battle. The whole earth will be judged by Him in glorious and resplendent Light. There will be no cover under which to hide sins from our Lord.
Thus ends a prayer, approaching, in beauty, that of the Magnificat of Mary. In fact, they are closely related. Hannah’s son went on to become a King-Maker for the Lord, anointing those whom the Lord chose and commanded. He never, as prophet and priest, received a reward in money from those whom He served in the Lord until the end of his days. God answered Hannah’s Prayer, and Hannah never left off praising the Lord in gratitude for that answered prayer. Have you returned thanks to the Lord today for answered prayer?