Verse of the Day 3/13

1 Samuel 2:1-2Then Hannah prayed:

"My heart rejoices in the Lord!
    The Lord has made me strong^.]
Now I have an answer for my enemies;
    I rejoice because you rescued me.
² No one is holy like the Lord!
    There is no one besides you;
    there is no Rock like our God.  New Living Translation (NLT)

In the previous chapter Hannah prays to God from the depth of her soul.  She lays her heart out to God and He answered her prayer.  Now she is offering a prayer of thanksgiving and praise for who He is and for the blessing of answered prayer. 

In times of desperation people reveal who their god is, it is where they turn, any other god is really no god at all.  Often they are gods which are created in one's own mind and for their benefit, to help them feel better about themselves.  But these gods have no power over adversity.  Henry Blackaby writes, "realize that whatever you instinctively turn to in times of trouble is an idol.  The idol of the psalmist's day were powerless and unable to provide practical assistance (Psalm 119:5).  Likewise, many modern idols appear to offer strength and joy, but those who trust in them soon discover that the idol's image of strength is merely a facade."

We recently toured Warner Brother's studio in California.  We drove down streets that were actually sets for TV shows and movies.  The buildings were only facades, many had nothing behind this facade.  From the street these houses gave the appearance of strength or security, but if you ran to one for shelter in a storm you would not find it.

We have the Creator of the universe to turn to.  He has the power to rescue, to deliver, to redeem and to save.  "He knows what's going on, He takes measure of all that happens."  (The Message)  There is no other like Him, there is no other true god.  Turn your heart to Him and keep it there.  Hannah is an example of someone whose heart was "stayed on" God.

Isaiah 26:3English Standard Version (ESV)

³ You keep him in perfect peace
    whose mind is stayed on you,
    because he trusts in you.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

1 Samuel 2:1-5The Message (MSG)

2 Hannah prayed:

I'm bursting with God-news!
    I'm walking on air.
I'm laughing at my rivals.
    I'm dancing my salvation.

^2-5 Nothing and no one is holy like God,
    no rock mountain like our God.
Don't dare talk pretentiously—
    not a word of boasting, ever!
For God knows what's going on.
    He takes the measure of everything that happens.