Daily devotional · December 22
Hannah's Song of Reversal
“At that time Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, for I rejoice in Your salvation. There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God. Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by Him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble are equipped with strength. The well-fed hire themselves out for food, but the starving hunger no more. The barren woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many sons pines away. The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol 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 among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world. He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail. Those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder from heaven against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth and will give power to His king. He will exalt the horn of His anointed.””
Hannah had wept for years over her empty arms, and then God gave her a son, Samuel, whom she dedicated to His service. Her response is not a quiet thank-you but a song. She rejoices that no one is holy like the Lord, that the bows of the mighty are broken while the weak are girded with strength, that the hungry are fed and the barren are blessed. Mary's later song echoes many of Hannah's themes. Both women sing because they have seen that God notices the overlooked. Hannah also shows that answered prayer is worth celebrating out loud. Many of us receive gifts and move on quickly. Today, write down three specific ways God has answered you, big or small, this year. Then thank Him aloud or share one of them with a friend. Gratitude turns memory into worship and gives others courage to keep praying.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the prayers You have answered. Help me remember and rejoice. Amen.