{This is Part 5 in a series on the Life of Hannah.
For the last four weeks we have been examining the life of Hannah as told in 1 Samuel. As we come to the end of Hannah’s story today, we know God will be Eternally Glorified and we see that Hannah Erupts in Praise to the Supreme Ruler.
The God who Sovereignly Governs over all, Providentially Guides all circumstances, Graciously Gives all things is Eternally Glorified and “we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
“I consider that the sufferings of this present time”, Paul said to the Romans, “are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Oh, He is worthy of our praise.
In Romans, Paul said: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”
Hannah knows the goodness of God in her life and understood that there is no one like our God who will graciously give us all things.
Hannah’s heart erupts in praise to the Lord. She takes what has happened in her life and she breaks forth in magnificent descriptions of the character and goodness of God.
Her joy is in the Giver, not the gift.
In 1 Samuel chapter two, we read Hannah’s prayer.
In her prayer, Hannah meditates on the extraordinary goodness of God to her with all of who she is, she rejoices in the strength His gives. Her heart leaps for joy at his salvation; his deliverance.
She proclaims his absolute holiness, and acknowledges there is none like Him. He is above all.
Hannah uses the metaphor of the “rock” and speaks of his majesty and might. She knows He is the safe dwelling place for his people.
She speaks of His omniscience, His sovereignty, His omnipotence and His power over life and death. Hannah declares He is Creator and Sustainer of all. That He upholds all things and directs all things.
He knows all things: He knows our heart, our thoughts, our actions.
He is the Supreme Ruler. His plans will come to pass.
She knows He is Just and merciful, gracious and faithful in His promises.
She tells of the promised Messiah.
These are the things Hannah’s heart knows. Do you know God like this? Does your heart leap for joy the way Hannah’s did?
Hannah’s tune changes from weeping over her problems with sorrow to rejoicing in the Lord with this song of praise.
The book of Samuel begins with Hannah praying for the son that God would use to lead the nation of Israel from the time of the judges to establish the Davidic monarchy. God promised a Messiah through the line of David and to establish David’s throne forever. Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, our Redeemer will reign forever.
Nothing can frustrate God’s plan.
Jesus Christ is the perfect substitutionary sacrifice and He bore the wrath of God for our sin that He might bring us to God.
The Supreme Ruler who Sovereignly Governs, Providentially Guides, and Graciously Gives, provides Hannah with three more sons and two daughters. Her future is secure.
In every way His will must prevail.
You may be women with serious problems, but we have a God who is Supreme over all. Because of His love He will graciously give you all things to conform you into the likeness of His Son to the praise of His glory.
With all your afflictions, sorrows, and anxieties find your joy in the Lord.
God Sovereignly Governs, Providentially Guides, Graciously Gives, and is Eternally Glorified.
Like Hannah, will you endure your problems, earnestly pour out your soul, entrust your Provider with all that He gives you and erupt in praise to your Saviour?
We have looked to the life of a woman with serious problems whose joy was ultimately in the Lord. We will conclude with these words Joseph Addison wrote in his hymn:
“Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
My daily thanks employ;
Nor is the least a cheerful heart
That tastes those gifts with joy.
Through every period of my life
Thy goodness I’ll pursue
And after death, in distant worlds,
The glorious theme renew.
Through all eternity to Thee
A joyful song I’ll raise;
For, oh, eternity’s too short
To utter all Thy praise!”
No comments:
Post a Comment