Your Song of Praise

 

SSS* Week #13-

These last 4 chapters of our study of the books of First and Second Samuel provide for us more material related to David’s reign as Israel’s king. Sandwiched between the account of God’s wrath against Israel because of something Saul had done and God’s wrath against Israel because of something David did, we read about David’s song of praise to the Lord.

David’s song of praise is similar to Hannah’s song in which she spoke prophetically at a time when Israel was about to transition from being led by God through judges to being led by him through kings. This kingship was established through her son, Samuel. However, the source of her joy was not Samuel, but rather the God who had answered her prayer.

Hannah said, “[her] heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord [her] horn is lifted high” (1 Samuel 2:1). To have one’s horn “lifted high” by God is to be delivered from disgrace to a position of honor and strength.

Now we see David praising God, not for the position of kingship over all of Israel, but rather for his deliverance from his enemies. He is grateful to have been kept safe from all those who were out to kill him. David says “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; . . . the horn of my salvation” (2 Samuel 22:2-3).

 Hannah’s unanswered prayer and the target on David’s back were both used to create hearts filled with praise to the God who delivered them from it all of their troubles.

Is your heart filled with something other than praise? Does your life look more like a “verse-6-Hannah” who is “irritated . . . with a closed womb” (1 Samuel 1:6) and less like the “verse-1-Hannah” we see “rejoicing in the Lord . . .” (1 Samuel 2:1)? Perhaps you are still on the run as David was as he fled for his life first, from Saul then, from his own son Absalom. If so, consider the events that took place in the meantime: Hannah went to the temple and prayed and David kept hard fast after the heart of God.

I hear you. The object of your prayer has not been granted. The people around you, the struggles within you, and those circumstances in front of you are truly out to take you down.

Be encouraged. Your time of hardship is not in vain.

As it was with Hannah and David, so it is with you: God is able to convert the energy our troubles drain from us into the very energy we use to belt out our songs of praise.

Today’s cry for help is the catalyst for tomorrow’s answered prayer. The timing will be perfect. When you sit to pen your praise, the source of your joy won’t be the “Samuel” born unto you nor any “kingship” you’re appointed to, but rather the God who kept his promise as He delivered you from it all!

 

P.S. Thanks for Spending the Summer In Samuel* with me. Now, with all that you’ve learned along the way, go and prepare to sing your song of praise!