Hannah’s Prayer: Even the barren gives birth to seven . . . He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap . . . The Lord keeps the feet of His godly ones, but the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; for not by might shall a man prevail. Those who contend with the Lord will be shattered; against them He will thunder in the heavens. I Samuel 2: 5-10 NASB

     A mother’s prayer anticipated the victorious voice of God.

     Hannah had trekked to the annual Feasts of Tabernacles with her husband, Elkanah, year after year, despite her barrenness, shame, and sorrow. Her rival, his first wife, had provoked her bitterly and thundered against her; and she was overcome by despair. Therefore, Hannah wouldn’t eat of the peace offerings, but she persevered in prayer. (I Samuel 1 NASB Study Bible)

     When Hannah poured out her soul before the Lord, Eli, the priest, overheard and thought she was intoxicated. When she explained why she was oppressed, he told her to “Go in peace; and may God answer your prayers!” In time, the Lord remembered Hannah; He opened her womb. When she gave birth to Samuel, she dedicated him to the Lord and wrote a song of thanksgiving. 

     Hannah had experienced cruel ridicule and humiliation; so, she prayed that the Lord would silence those who had opposed Him, that they’d be shattered by His thunderous voice.  Unbeknownst to Hannah, her child would one day come under God’s protective roar.

     Samuel persisted in prayer like his mother. When the Philistines threatened war, he challenged Israel to return to the Lord with her whole heart, to repent of sin and remove her idols, and God was faithful to help Israel overcome the enemy. The Lord thundered with a great thunder; He sent His foes into confusion and struck them down.

     Then Samuel set a stone between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, “stone of help,” for thus far the Lord had helped them! The Philistines were subdued and ravaged cities were restored to Israel. God answered a mother’s prayer; He used what had hurt her to overcome the enemy. 
    
The voice of the Lord is mightier than that of man.
 
     Whatever we face, we must pray with similar determination and heed the Lord’s response. His thunderous voice silences His enemies in darkness and redeems what caused hurt and separation. Babies are born, weak knees stand, cloudy lens are cleared, and the feet of the godly are kept.   

     Victory belongs to the Lord.

Rejoicing, for He has helped us thus far!

Lily Mae

     The Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines and confused them, so that they were routed before Israel. Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” I Samuel 7:10, 12 NASB