Day 909: Not by might - 1 Samuel 2 vs 1 - 11

1 And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength (horn) is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. 2-3 “There is none holy like the Lord; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.”

4-5 “The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. 6-8 The Lord kills and brings to life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and He exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honour. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and on them He has set the world.”

9-10 “He will guard the feet of His faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them He will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; He will give strength to His king and exalt the power (horn) of His anointed.” 11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah. And the boy ministered to the Lord in the presence of Eli the priest. 1 Samuel 2:1-11 English Standard Version

This is one of at least four instances in the Bible where a God fearing woman expressed intense praise to God for the wonder of His ways. A prophet named Miriam did so when God brought Israel safely through the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army drowned. Another prophet, Deborah, did so when God gave Israel victory over a Canaanite army. And, Mary, the mother of Jesus, did so when she realized the great honour God had shown her. In her song of praise she said “The Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is His name.” (Luke 1:49) What was the point about God that Hannah made in her prayer of praise? (Vs 2-3)

Living in days when idol worship and belief in multiple gods was common in the world, she confessed that there is only one true God, and that He is a God who knows the hearts of all people and who weighs their actions. In other words, He is the one we are all accountable to. What did such weighing of attitudes and actions lead to? (vs 4-5)

God is able to lift up the humble and poor in spirit, and to put down the mighty and the arrogant. The words of Jesus spring to mind when He said:“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:3-6) God's absolute authority is well summed up in Hannah's words in verses 6-8.

What else did Hannah praise God for, and what is the important truth that emerges from it? (vs 9)

God watches over those who love and faithfully serve Him, and guards them against enemies who are often far stronger and more numerous. When Israel returned after 70 years of exile in Babylon, a man named Zerubbabel was God's 'anointed' servant at that time. But he faced a mammoth task of rebuilding the temple in the midst of strong opposition. He felt helpless, but the prophet Zechariah encouraged him with the words: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” (Zechariah 4:6-7)

Here is encouragement for God's people who feel their weakness for tasks they attempt for the Lord, and who tremble at the enemies taunts and attacks. It is God who guards the feet of His faithful ones against the dark deeds of the wicked; for not by might shall a man prevail.