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Jesus was just about to be arrested and eventually taken to the cross.
He had just finished a prayer for his disciples and now wanted to pray for all those who believed in him and also all those who ever would believe. In this prayer Jesus also confirmed that he had been with the Father since the beginning.
Thank you Lord Jesus for loving me and thinking of me even as you were headed to the cross. Amen!

John 17:20-26 NIV
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:
I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

After the resurrection of Jesus, his disciples Peter and John were arrested and questioned about a miracle they had performed. After they had been reprimanded and released they went back to a group of believers and told all that had happened to them. They referenced Psalm 2 and further asked for the strength of the Holy Spirit so that they could call on the name of Jesus to perform miracles and many wonders. The following is their prayer as recorded in Acts chapter 4.

Acts 4:23-31 NIV
On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.“Sovereign Lord,” they said,“you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

“‘Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the Lord
and against his Anointed One.

Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Let's conclude this week with a look at some familiar words of Paul on prayer. We are encouraged to pray always and be joyful. Take everything to the Lord in prayer. Lastly, we look at the end of Revelation, where John prays to our Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

The final words of the Bible are a prayer of John. He is pleading with Jesus for the second coming. The last words of Jesus in the Bible are a promise that He is coming soon.

Revelation 22:20-21 NIV
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon."
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.

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AMEN! Have a blessed and safe weekend.

Wow! What a great Lord we have to serve. He is the creator of the world and our righteous judge. It just makes me want to sing praises and rejoice.

Psalm 96 NIV
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.
Say among the nations,“The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.

King David was celebrating the movement of the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. David had presented a great sacrifice to the Lord and had delegated jobs for many priests to serve before the ark of the Lord. David also presented a psalm of praise which was recorded in 1 Chronicles chapter 16. Verses 23-33 were virtually mirrored in Psalm 96 which we read yesterday. Let's look at the rest of the Psalm today. Verses 8-22 are actually the beginning of Psalm 105.

1 Chronicles 16:8-22 NIV
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, O descendants of Israel his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.
He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
“To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.”
When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it, they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.
He allowed no man to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings:
“Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.”

1 Chronicles 16:34-36 NIV
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Cry out,“Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise.” Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”

Psalm 97 is another opportunity to praise our Lord. His power is so great it can be seen throughout the whole world. The psalm seems to point out God's power on display in thunderstorms.
Thank you Lord for your strength, your righteousness and your joy. Amen!

Psalm 97 NIV
The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.
Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.
All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols- worship him, all you gods!
Zion hears and rejoices and the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments, O Lord. For you, O Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.

Elihu gives a speech to Job and his friends after listening to all of what these elder men had to say. Elihu also uses the illustration of a thunderstorm to tell us of God's power. Enjoy the poetic verses found in chapters 36 and 37 of Job.

Job 36:26- 37:13 NIV
How great is God- beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out.
“He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams; the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind. Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion? See how he scatters his lightning about him, bathing the depths of the sea. This is the way he governs the nations and provides food in abundance. He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark. His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach.
“At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place. Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth. He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth. After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back. God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow,‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower,‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that all men he has made may know his work, he stops every man from his labor. The animals take cover; they remain in their dens. The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds. The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen. He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them. At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them. He brings the clouds to punish men, or to water his earth and show his love.

Psalm 98 is similar to Psalm 96 which we read earlier in the week. The two psalms ask us to join all nations and even all creation in a song of celebration to our Lord. Let's make a joyful noise before our God. Amen!

Psalm 98 NIV
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn- shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.
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Enjoy a blessed and safe weekend!

In between Jesus' baptism and the beginning of his ministry, there was the temptation in the desert. As we read from Matthew chapter 4, Satan tried to deceive Jesus and cause him to fall. Satan even tried to use the words of Psalm 91 to his favor. Of course it did not work. Jesus defeated the devil with words from Deuteronomy chapters 6 and 8.
With study and practice, we too can learn to use the scripture to put aside temptation.

Matthew 4:1-11 NIV
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said,“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered,“It is written:‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.“If you are the Son of God,” he said,“throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus answered him,“It is also written:‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.“All this I will give you,” he said,“if you will bow down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him,“Away from me, Satan! For it is written:‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

The book of James tells us to be joyful when we face trials in this life. Learn and persevere from these trials. We should not let those trials allow us to be lead into temptation and sin. Jesus showed us this in the prayer we know as The Lord's Prayer. Pray in strong faith and believe.

James 1:2-8 NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Matthew 6:13 NIV
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

James 1:12-18 NIV
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
When tempted, no one should say,“God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Our faith is tested by God at times throughout our lives. Satan is constantly trying to tempt us into sin. We will not ever receive more than we can bear. We also have the promise that we will be provided a way out, so that after perseverence we will be stronger. We need to always reach for the way out instead of turning to sin.

1 Corinthians 10:1-13 NIV
For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.
Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written:“The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did-and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test the Lord, as some of them did-and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did-and were killed by the destroying angel.
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

The author of Hebrews shows us that Jesus was made to be like his human brothers. Jesus was made to suffer and be tempted and tested so that he could become our perfect sacrifice. The following verses contain references to both Psalms 8 and 22, also Isaiah chapter 8. We go on to read in Hebrews chapter 4 that Jesus is our great high priest and that he has sympathy for our weaknesses because he was also tempted; though he remained sinless.

Hebrews 2:5-18 NIV
It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified:

“What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet.”

In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.”

And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”

And again he says,
“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death–that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted

Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
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Enjoy a blessed and safe 4th of July weekend!

Several weeks ago we looked at the first several chapters of Proverbs, but there is so much more to learn from King Solomon that was not covered. Let's get more in depth with these chapters.
Solomon writes in chapter 1 as though wisdom is personified. In the following verses he gives us a strong warning against rejecting wisdom. The words especially talk to the young who must choose between embracing wisdom or a foolish life of mockery.

Proverbs 1:20-33 NIV
Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:
“How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you- when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
“Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

The conclusion of Proverbs chapter 2 gives us many moral benefits of wisdom. Welcome wisdom and instruction of the Word of God into your life and you will not stray from a righteous life. Wisdom will keep you away from such things as adultery and other evil perversions. Wisdom will keep you on the path to salvation and the heavenly reward.

Proverbs 2:12-22 NIV
Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.
It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God. For her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.
Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it.

The conclusion of Proverbs chapter 3 gives us more wisdom. Solomon tells us several things we should avoid.

Proverbs 3:27-35 NIV
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor,“Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow”- when you now have it with you.
Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.
Do not accuse a man for no reason- when he has done you no harm.
Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, for the Lord detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.
The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.
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Enjoy a blessed day for this is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Allow me to stray from the beginning chapters of Proverbs, so that I can share something put on my heart today from the ending chapters of the same book. I pray that no one has the same fears that have plagued me over the years concerning my daily bread. Even though God has always provided for me and I have never been in need, I still have spent a great part of my life in fear that my needs might suddenly be taken away. Let us agree with the following words of prayer that Agur wrote and are found in Proverbs 30. Thank you Lord for our daily bread. Amen!

Proverbs 30:7-9 NIV
“Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say,‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

Please join me also in this epilogue of the book of Proverbs. It is a wonderful poem written to give honor to a wife of noble character. Enjoy the word and give thanks to God; in particular those of us who are blessed by God with such a wife. Amen and Amen!

Proverbs 31:10-31 NIV
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Once again we find Solomon personifying wisdom. Even more specifically, he writes as though wisdom is female. Chapter 4 of Proverbs shows us that wisdom is supreme. Seek wisdom and love her. Stay off the path of the wicked and the foolish.

Proverbs 4:1-17 NIV
Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said,“Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.”
Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

I spent a lot of time trying to find the path for this week's devotionals. I finally decided to look to Jesus. Isn't Jesus the answer to our problems?
At the very end of the Sermon on the Mount as written in Matthew chapters 5-7, Jesus told a parable about two builders. One was wise and the other foolish. The lesson of the parable is to build your faith on a foundation of rock. That rock is Jesus Christ. Amen!

Matthew 7:24-29 NIV
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Peter calls Jesus a living Stone in the second chapter of his first letter. The inlaid quotes in these passages are from Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 8:14. We learn that Jesus should not only be the foundation of our faith, but also the cornerstone and the capstone. It sounds like we better surround ourselves with Christ and the Word of God.
Peter also warns the unbelievers in this chapter. We learn that if you refuse to believe and disobey God's message, you will stumble over such a stone.

1 Peter 2:4-12 NIV
As you come to him, the living Stone-rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,”

and,

“A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message-which is also what they were destined for.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Hannah was one of two wives of Elkanah. She was unable to have children and the other wife taunted her, because of her barren womb. Hannah prayed in the presence of Eli the priest for a son to be born to her. She vowed that if she had a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord for service in the temple his whole life. Hannah fulfilled her vow after the birth of Samuel.
We see in her recorded prayer of praise that she refers to God as a Rock. Hannah tells us many wonders within God's power. Be blessed while reading this prayer.

1 Samuel 2:1-11 NIV
Then Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.
“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
“Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
“The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.
“The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.
“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord's; upon them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness.
“It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.
“He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the Lord under Eli the priest.