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November 13, 2024

The Gift and Grace of Dependence

Frederick W. Schmidt   |   Read 1 Samuel 2:1-10

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Lectionary Week
November 11–17, 2024
Scripture Overview

The inability to have a child brings pain to many today, and this was equally true in ancient times. In that context it was sometimes even worse, for Peninnah openly ridicules Hannah for being unable to conceive. But as a result of Hannah’s desperate, heartfelt prayer, God blesses her with a son, Samuel, who will become a powerful prophet. Hannah then rejoices in a God who exalts the poor and needy. Hannah provides an example of the boldness with which we also can approach God now because of Christ’s sacrifice. The destruction of Jerusalem is the focus of the passage in Mark. Jesus here predicts the demolition of the Temple and the city, which the Romans executed in 70 c.e.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read 1 Samuel 1:4-20. How do you persist in prayer when your prayer seems unanswered for a long time?
Read 1 Samuel 2:1-10. How do you express your joy and thanks when God answers your prayer?
Read Hebrews 10:11-25. What helps you to persevere in the practice of your faith?
Read Mark 13:1-8. What signs make you anxious about the future? What helps you to hold on to hope?

Respond by posting a prayer .

1 Samuel 2:1-10

1 Then Hannah prayed: My heart rejoices in the LORD. My strength rises up in the LORD! My mouth mocks my enemies because I rejoice in your deliverance. 2 No one is holy like the LORD no, no one except you! There is no rock like our God! 3 Don’t go on and on, talking so proudly, spouting arrogance from your mouth, because the LORD is the God who knows, and he weighs every act. 4 The bows of mighty warriors are shattered, but those who were stumbling now dress themselves in power! 5 Those who were filled full now sell themselves for bread, but the ones who were starving are now fat from food! The woman who was barren has birthed seven children, but the mother with many sons has lost them all! 6 The LORD! He brings death, gives life, takes down to the grave, and raises up! 7 The LORD! He makes poor, gives wealth, brings low, but also lifts up high! 8 God raises the poor from the dust, lifts up the needy from the garbage pile. God sits them with officials, gives them the seat of honor! The pillars of the earth belong to the LORD; he set the world on top of them! 9 God guards the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked die in darkness because no one succeeds by strength alone. 10 The LORD! His enemies are terrified! God thunders against them from heaven! The LORD! He judges the far corners of the earth! May God give strength to his king and raise high the strength of his anointed one.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Hannah’s prayer in the second chapter of First Samuel and the poetry of David at the end of Second Samuel (22–23:7) provide thematic bookends to the stories of Samuel, Saul, and David. Both passages emphasize the truths that inform the writer’s critique of that history. They outline the path of...

Gracious God, I confess my hubris, my pride, my need for control. I confess the harm that I have done to those who depend on me. Teach me to depend on you. Free me from the primal desire to be my own god, and lead me into the future that only you can give. Amen.


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