1 Samuel 5-6, Isaiah 51

Today we read of how protective God was of the ark of God, when it was captured by the Philistines. Dagon was dismembered, the Philistines broke out in tumors, and a plague of mice, so that the Philistines wanted to return the ark to Israel.

God went to all that trouble to get a symbol of His glory returned, so imagine what He will do to protect someone who reflects His glory. “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law…my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations“. God reminds us that He has called His people, “I am the Lord your God…. establishing the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth, and saying to Zion, ‘You are my people’“.

The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away“.

1 Samuel 2

Today we read one of Hannah’s prayers. Faithful woman, who turned to God in times of distress and thankfulness. She rejoices in God’s salvation, in His care of the poor and lowly. It’s clear that Hannah’s faithfulness had a long lasting effect on Samuel, one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament.

Hannah’s prayerfulness is one of the qualities Paul commends. “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”