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We are reading I Samuel Chapter 2 . Following the birth of Samuel in the most amazing circumstances - circumstances of barrenness - hostility – and spite – and all this going on in the House of God.

Hannah prayed - and later she rejoices. We have to come through some terrible experiences at times before we can rejoice - and then it may be sore and costly. The disciples of Jesus certainly knew all about that.

Hannah's rejoicing comes from the heart. In the Lord, Hannah became strong.

She was able to boast over all her enemies. Now, this was because God gave her victory. God had enabled her to overcome the terrible trial she endured. God had delivered her.

Verse 2 – There is no-one like our God. If we don't have YOU, O GOD, there is no-one else. There is no rock like our God. Hannah found her security in God. She was lifted up above all the jibes and taunts and smears.

People should be careful as to what they say. God knows. The strong can be brought down - and the weak armed with strength.

Verse 5 – Those who had - have no more. Those who were hungry are satisfied.

God delivered Hannah in the way God rules the world. He satisfies those who have little or nothing - and strips away from the greedy. She who was barren now has seven children.

Some mothers pine over their children as they almost break their hearts and occasionally do.

Verse 6 -- Hannah believed in the power of God - and she believed in the resurrection. This prayer is inspired by the Holy Spirit. This woman know how to pray – and to keep on praying – and to persist in prayer.

Verse 7 – The LORD sends poverty and wealth! He humbles and He exalts. May He never need to do the first one with us. Humble yourself!

Verse 8 – God raises and uplifts and upholds. Jesus was always lifting up those who were down - and Peter when he met that cripple in his 40's, at the Gate Beautiful raises up that needy man.

The foundations are the Lord's - yes, even in this world of sin - the sin is the work of man and NOT the work of our Holy God.

Verse 9 – He will guard - and we need to be guarded. Physical human strength is not the determining factor. Hannah's deliverance caused her to look away from herself - beyond herself - to see and know that God was working in the world at large.

Verse 10 – There will be those who are shattered - who? - those who oppose the Lord. God will give strength to His King - and He will exalt the strength of those whom He has anointed. This is her second recorded prayer.

Verse 12 makes for sad reading. This implies they had no proper relationship with the Lord. The following verses explain. They wanted and took before the sacrifice was made to God. This was robbery - taking what belonged to God. "Hand it over at once or I'll take it by force."

Verse 17 is so strong.

Verse 22 – Eli heard what his sons were doing, as they profaned the sanctuary.

Eli failed as a father - he was not in touch with his sons - and what they were doing. He heard about their behaviour from the people - and he was soft on sin .

Verses 23,24 – There is no righteous indignation in his words to his sons. This is a feeble response. He does not take authority over the matter. He does not tell them to STOP! He failed in his responsibilities. The consequence is death - this is like Romans Chapter 1 - God gives them over to the sin in their hearts.

This is happening in the Place of Worship. Chapter 3verse13 gives a further explanation - and the Philistines kill the two sons. Eli at the age of 98 is told.

Chapter 2verse 26 - a change is coming! We need to know that too, and it will be much more than a change of political government.

Prophets were raised up at the right moment.

Jesus came at the right moment - and Jesus will come again at the right moment.

“Gracious Father – have mercy upon this world where there is so much hurt and suffering and pain caused by the cruelty and greed and corruption of sinful man. Have mercy where we have rejected Jesus Christ, the one who forgives and saves and rescues – and where we have rejected the authority and authenticity of the Scriptures – teach us from these lessons we read of in the Bible – help us in these critical days – through Jesus Christ. Amen”

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

Pressing through the storm