Hannah, the mother of Samuel, knew what it was like to be thankful. In her own words she said, "My heart rejoices in the Lord. In the Lord my horn is lifted high. I rest in the Lords salvation. There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. For the Lord is a God who knows."
We ought to live a life of rejoicing. If God never answered another one of our prayers we could praise Him for eternity just for our salvation. Like the African who lived in a hut made of manure and straw. He said, "To know that God cares for me and my family is enough. I have all I need." This really puts things into perspective for this Thanksgiving season.
I especially like the part in Hannah's song where she says, "For the Lord is a God who knows." No other religion can say their God knows them personally. Allah doesn't know his followers by name. He doesn't know the number of hairs we have on our head. But God does. He knows us. Especially, as Max Lucado says, "Christ knows how you feel." He knows pain, he knows grief, he knows sorrow, and most importantly; He knows death. For Hannah, "God came Near."
Hannah's prayer also made a major impact on the mother of Jesus. Mary also sang a song of Thanksgiving in the New Testament. The supreme source of Hannah's joy was not in the child, but in the God who had answered her prayer: "to be blessed of God."
I'm thankful to be "blessed of God."
Have a Happy Thanksgiving
Just a few recent pictures
17 years ago
2 comments:
Good morning James,
I've enjoyed all your sermons. The one yesterday reminded me that I am so guilty of praying for things, but not praising enough when that prayer is answered. We tend to say "thank you" to God and then go on to the next request. The praise songs you alluded to in the sermon are great. I'd love to sing those again. We were really into those when the kids were small, and I miss hearing and singing them. Doris
Doris,
I always appreciate your encouraging words. I think encouragement is one of your spiritual gifts.
I have a CD titled, "Song's that changed the church forever" most of those songs are on it. Were having a worship team meeting sometime after the new year to talk about maybe including some of them in our worship service. But, all of our songs are good and I know the Lord is glad to hear them; I'm glad he looks at our heart not the words.
Have a happy thanksgiving.
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