Back to Holiness

1 Samuel 2

Holy.

For the first time

In a long time

We see the word Holy leap off the page.

This lovely gratitude song from Hannah.

About God’s sovereignty.

NIV Notes: “It is sometimes called the Magnificat of the Old Testament and Hannah’s praise song finds many echoes in David’s song near the end of 2 Samuel 22.”

I often wonder about the journey of these words. I love how the songs of Deborah and Hannah and Mary become part of the thread of God’s Story.  Word crafters with deep soul wells of creativity.  Their words were noteworthy and found a place in the Bible. 

Stories and songs that show the insides of a heart and soul that dwells and depends fully on God.  So thankful for answered prayer.  To know that they knew the LORD and longed for relationship with Him, as we know God longs to have relationship with us.  

So often there are words and characters who walk on the edge of the path and whose words are scribbled in the margins.  The quiet stories that don’t make a big splash, or make the headlines.  Small stories about kindness and about gratitude and dependence on God. 

When I think about the books of Samuel, my mind goes straight to David, as if Saul is so forgettable and the stories of Eli are just pebbles on the path.   But these too form the history of Israel.  The hard parts that leave a mark.

So many chapters in our own stories where we feel so clearly led and guided. 

Humbled and grateful.  

And the chapters that are hard

And leave a mark. 

Always learning and never quite finished.   

Always changing and moving on.  

And hopeful that the story is not fully written or revealed. 

That there is still so much adventure ahead. 

Marvel, mystery and wonder.  

Open hearts and souls and hands.