My Strength is Exulted in the LORD

“My heart exults in the LORD; my horn [strength] is exulted in the LORD, my mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation.

There is no one holy like the LORD, indeed, there is no one besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.

Boast no more so very proudly, do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and with Him actions are weighed.

The bows of the mighty are shattered, but the feeble gird on strength.

Those who were full hire themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry cease to hunger. Even the barren gives birth to seven, but she who has many children languishes.

The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up.

The LORD makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts.

He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with nobles, and inherit a seat of honor; for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and He set the world on them.

He keeps the feet of His godly ones, but the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; for not by might shall a man prevail.

Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered; against them He will thunder in the heavens, the LORD will judge the ends of the earth; and He will give strength to His king, and will exalt the horn [strength] of His anointed.” 1 Samuel 2

Hannah struggled greatly. She wanted to have her own children. Her desire to have children was also tied to the culture and to the constant cruelty of her husband’s other wife.

The LORD moved in a mighty way when He waited for the right time to allow Hannah to conceive.  1 Samuel 1-3

Her response to the gift of this long awaited child is one we, as fellow maidservants of the LORD, need to think on. I can’t imagine giving my treasured child to another. I admire Hannah’s faith and I struggle with my own desire to know that I would be able to emulate her actions.

In my life the LORD meets me in my own agony.  I  know He hears me and I understand waiting for Him.  When I am at my lowest, He doesn't have to prove to me that He hasn't forgotten me.  I know, in time, He will lift my head and I rejoice in that hope knowing what joy it is to rest in Him.  My strength is exulted in the LORD!

A recent time this autumn I was thinking about the difficulties we face and we discussed them together.  The subject matter was our agony, but then it turned to "why doesn't this happen or that happen to help us get through this great sadness?"  As we spoke, I did not want an answer from God because I knew that, in time, He would meet us and lift our heads in His way which is always the best no matter how we feel.  How blessed we were that within a half hour two different things happened where the Almighty specifically answered our "why doesn't He do this?" lament.  How kind and compassionate the LORD was to reach down right then and calm our hearts.  Very much like Hannah's, I began praising Him with my own song of Thanksgiving! 

The scripture above is Hannah’s faith-filled song of Thanksgiving as she leaves her long awaited, treasured son with Eli as she had promised the LORD.  I hope these words from this precious mother stay with you and bless you as you ponder truly giving your life to Him in praise.