Hannah, The Courage to Believe
Hannah is my focus on this first Sunday of Advent. She, like Mary, had the courage to believe. The
courage to believe that God had blessings waiting in the wings for her. How she
must have battled the day to day thirst for soul blessings in a
desert of barrenness. She had no fruit of the womb, nor fruit of the
world. She had nothing to show for her life, nor even her existence. Yet, in the face of barrenness, she believed her life held a purpose and God
had a perfect plan.
Peninah's critical voice did not detour Hannah's faith in God's good plan for her. Nor, did Hannah settle for worshiping Elkanah, a mortal man. She did not
believe the words of condemnation Eli spoke over her. Hannah was
able to press beyond the voice of criticism.* Hannah persevered
and prevailed in prayer. Hannah held on to her God given vision.
What vision of Himself
and of your own self has God given you? Are you
holding to your vision in the face of criticism and condemnation? Let us
prevail, through prayer, to bring the presence of the Lord into our
lives this Advent season.
Pondering Hannah's Prayer became Praise
My heart rejoices in the Lord;
in the Lord my horn is lifted high.
in the Lord my horn is lifted high.
There is no one holy like the Lord;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
The world most often
condemns us or asks us to conform.
The church may ask us to
perform.
Jesus asks us to pray.
The Holy Spirit asks us to
prevail.
God says prepare, for my presence.
*J. Lee Grady's Fearless Daughters of the Bible
Powerful
words. Powerful women. The presence of a powerful God.
