Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
Then Hannah prayed and said:
There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no One besides You; there is no Rock like our God.
1 Samuel 2:1-2
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
Much of Chapter 2 in 1st Samuel is a prayer lifted up to God by Hannah…a prayer spoken in a spirit of full thanksgiving and exaltation after the Lord answered her earlier prayer, opened her womb and allowed her to conceive, bear and raise her only child…her son Samuel. After three years of weaning, Hannah turned Samuel over to the priest Eli as she had promised and then turned to rejoicing and praising God for a variety of reasons. I am writing a series of devotionals based on Hannah’s reasons to praise God. The first reason she praised him was for the way He had delivered her from hardship to bliss. In our scripture today, we see Hannah praising God for being God and God alone…a God without equal.
In what ways is God unique and unlike anyone else? Although there are many qualities of God that distinguish Him, Hannah highlights three specific ones:
1. There is no one holier.
Hannah’s exact words in 1st Samuel, Chapter 2, verse 2, are, “There is no one holy like the Lord…”.
So what does it mean to be holy?
Here’s the textbook dictionary definition:
“exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness”
That sums it up. Who else other than God Himself is perfect in goodness and righteousness? No man, woman or child on this earth qualifies. And this makes God distinct. Truly, as Hannah stated so well in her spirit of praise, “There is no one holy like the Lord…” and we would best suited to try and model ourselves by Him. In fact, it’s not even an option because scripture commands us to do so in the following words from Peter’s first letter:
“But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ " 1 Peter 1:15-16
Indeed, He is holy and there is no one holier.
2. There is no One besides Him.
God has no equal. He is almighty, infinite, the maker and ruler of all things. Everything in all creation falls under His command and is subservient to Him. And what an awesome comfort it is to know we have a God who has no rival or equal. Knowing this, we can echo these words of Moses and the Israelites found in the Book of Exodus as they exalt God with the following words:
Who among the gods is like You, O Lord ? Who is like You — majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? You stretched out Your right hand and the earth swallowed them. In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. Exodus 15:11-13
Indeed, who is like God? No one because He has no equal…no One besides Him.
3. There is no Rock like our God.
Hannah proclaimed that “…there is no Rock like our God”. So what does being the Rock mean?
Well, the word is synonymous with the word strength. And truly, there is no one stronger than God. He is almighty and infinitely powerful. Nothing is beyond the works of His hands.
And there’s a peace that comes in knowing we serve and trust a God such as this. We can cast off fear knowing that we can always seek refuge in the Lord…our Protector and Redeemer...when we need it. Truly, if God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) For there is no other Rock like our God.
So in one scripture verse, we learn of God’s greatness. For He has no equal…no one holier…no one who is more of a Rock than Him. Is this not reason for us to rejoice and give praise? Hannah sure thought it was enough. Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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