4th Sunday of Advent
1 Samuel 2:1-10
Hannah prayed and said, "My
heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in my God.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in my victory. "There is no Holy One like the LORD, no
one 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.
The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble gird on strength.
Those who were full have hired
themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The
barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.
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, he also 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 honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on
them he has set the world.
"He will guard the feet of his
faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might
does one prevail.
The LORD! His adversaries shall be
shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends
of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his
anointed."
[The Lord] seats [the poor] with princes and has them
inherit
a throne of honor.
- 1 Samuel 2:8 (NIV)
Three songs that are recorded in the Bible tell of God’s great reversal.
Hannah rejoiced, liberated from her barrenness. Moses and Miriam led the
singing when the Israelites escaped from Egypt (Exod. 15:20-21). Mary, the
mother of Jesus, celebrated the deliverance her son would bring (Luke 1:46-55).
From these songs, we can learn much about God’s nature and will for us.
Hannah sang about God’s exalting the poor, whom we regard as helpless and
unworthy of honor. We find new purpose as we learn to value people who are not
considered important.
Moses saw the great reversal in the way the Lord leads with love (Exod.
15:13). No longer was power found in brute strength, but in the love of God. We
find new purpose in discovering that no good comes from violence and
retaliation, but only from love.
Mary described the great reversal in terms of God’s mercy (Luke 1: 50).
God exalts the lowly, who recognize their need for God. Our purpose does not
depend on our own power, but on the strength of a love that comes from the Lord
and in community with one another.
Thought for the Day
What is the theme of my song of
praise to God today?
Prayer
Dear Lord, attune our lives to your
great reversal, established in your grace and justice. Amen.
Prayer focus: Female clergy
The Author
Eleanor Shepherd (Quebec, Canada)
No comments:
Post a Comment