Nancy Taylor Tate
Hannah’s prayer comes to mind as we enter into all that lies ahead this year:
“And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoices in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:1–2).
There had been times of sorrow in Hannah’s life, but now there was a song of rejoicing as Hannah brought Samuel, the child given to her by the Lord, back to Him. Hannah had been barren, yet through prayer and the intervention of God, Samuel, the prophetic voice God would use in that generation, was birthed. His life and words continue to minister today.
God always has been faithful. Hannah, too, was found faithful as she brought Samuel to the temple, just as she had promised God she would. Hannah’s triumph goes beyond having conceived a son; she also fulfilled her promise to the Lord! After she brought Samuel to the temple, great joy flooded her heart as she worshipped the Lord our God.
May we, too, experience the joy of faithfulness in our lives. May we be found faithful with the things God has entrusted to us and all that He has called us to do. May we lean into Him and draw on His strength, that we might walk out our commitments in faith and love, growing in our understanding of God—who He is, His divine nature, and His plan.
Revelation 17:14 speaks of those who are with the Lamb as being “faithful.”
“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”
Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is victorious! Lasting joy is rooted in Him. We can have confidence in His salvation. Our glory is in knowing Him and becoming joined with Him, even as Jesus prayed we would in John 17.
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).
“I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me” (John 17:23).
Regardless of past, present, or future circumstances, may we, in expectation and hope, be faithful where God has us. He is faithful. He looks for faithfulness in us. He rewards faithfulness! (Matthew 25:21, 23).
Let us align ourselves with Him! HE is our joy. Circumstances change; He is like a rock! May we rejoice in the Lord our God.
“He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (2 Corinthians 10:17).
“O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation” (Psalm 95:1).