February 9-13

When God Gets the Glory

“My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD.”  1 Samuel 2:1a (ESV)

In 1954, Roger Bannister became the first man to run a mile in under four minutes. What is often overlooked is that Bannister refused to celebrate himself afterward. He repeatedly credited his coaches, his training, and the opportunity he had been given, insisting the achievement was bigger than him alone (BBC History, “The Four Minute Mile”). His response reminds us that true greatness knows where credit belongs.

Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2 is not about her success as a mother but about God’s greatness as Lord. Her praise erupts from a heart that understands something vital: answered prayer should lead to exalted worship. She does not celebrate Samuel; she celebrates the God who gave him.

Biblically, this prayer marks a turning point. Hannah’s song sets the theological foundation for the rest of 1 Samuel. God is the One who raises and humbles, gives life and removes it, lifts the poor and brings down the proud. When God gets the glory, human pride loses its footing.

For believers, Hannah teaches that praise is the natural overflow of gratitude shaped by humility. Worship is not rooted in circumstances but in confidence in who God is.

Reflection Questions
What do you tend to celebrate more easily: God’s gifts or God Himself?
How does Hannah’s prayer reshape your view of praise?

Suggested Prayer
Lord, teach me to give You glory for who You are, not just what You do.

God Gets the Glory for Who He Is

“There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2 (ESV)

After an earthquake in Japan, reporters interviewed survivors who repeatedly spoke about the need for something stable to stand on amid devastation. Buildings failed, systems collapsed, but what people longed for was something unshakable (New York Times). Hannah uses similar language when she calls God “the Rock.”

Biblically, Hannah’s declaration is a confession of God’s uniqueness. He alone is holy. He alone is unshakable. In Scripture, holiness refers not just to moral perfection but to absolute otherness. God is in a category by Himself.

This matters deeply for faith. When God gets the glory for who He is, fear loses its grip. Hannah’s confidence is not rooted in outcomes but in God’s character. The same God who answered her prayer remains faithful regardless of future uncertainty. Believers are reminded that worship grounded in God’s holiness produces stability in unstable seasons.

Reflection Questions
Where do you look for stability when life feels uncertain?
How does God’s holiness strengthen your trust?

Suggested Prayer
Holy God, help me rest in who You are when everything else feels shaky.

God Gets the Glory for What He’s Done

“The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.” 1 Samuel 2:6 (ESV)

Historian Paul Johnson noted that “history repeatedly shows power shifting from the strong to the overlooked in ways no one predicts” (A History of the American People). Scripture reveals that God has been doing this long before historians noticed.

Hannah’s prayer celebrates God’s reversals. He humbles the proud and lifts the needy. He feeds the hungry and brings the self-sufficient low. Biblically, these reversals are not random acts of fate but deliberate works of divine justice and mercy.

Hannah understands that God’s actions reveal His heart. The same God who changed her story is actively at work reshaping the world according to His purposes. Her praise recognizes that God alone deserves glory for redemption and restoration.

For believers, this passage reassures that God is still at work behind the scenes, lifting, healing, and redeeming in ways that may not be immediately visible.

Reflection Questions
Where have you seen God work in unexpected ways?
How does remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthen your present faith?

Suggested Prayer
God, thank You for Your mighty works. Help me trust You in every season.

God Gets the Glory for How He Rules

“The LORD will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness.” 1 Samuel 2:9 (ESV)

In 2020, when international travel shut down, many realized how fragile human systems truly are. Borders closed overnight, and plans dissolved instantly. Things that seemed permanent were suddenly temporary and powerless.

Hannah’s prayer contrasts temporary human control with God’s eternal rule. God guards His people, governs with justice, and reigns with authority that never expires. Biblically, God’s rule is both protective and purposeful. He guards the faithful while ensuring evil does not have the final word.

This truth comforts believers. God’s sovereignty means no moment is wasted, no injustice unnoticed, and no hardship unaccounted for. When God rules, hope remains secure.

Reflection Questions
Where do you struggle to trust God’s rule?
How does God’s sovereignty bring peace to your heart?

Suggested Prayer
Lord, help me trust Your rule even when I don’t understand Your ways.

When God Gets the Glory, His Kingdom Advances

“The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king.” 1 Samuel 2:10a (ESV)

In 1999, a group of software engineers confidently launched a website called Boo.com, convinced it would “change the internet forever.” They spent over 135 million dollars, ignored basic user experience issues, and collapsed in less than a year. One analyst famously said the company failed because it believed hype could replace substance (“The Rise and Fall of Boo.com”). It turns out confidence without wisdom rarely leads to lasting success.

Hannah’s prayer ends by pointing to a kingdom that will not collapse. Long before Israel had a king, Hannah spoke of God giving strength to His King. Biblically, this is remarkable. Her praise looks past her own answered prayer and toward God’s unfolding redemptive plan. Unlike human systems built on pride or prediction, God’s kingdom is established by His power and sustained by His faithfulness.

Scripture consistently contrasts temporary human glory with eternal divine glory. Hannah understands that God’s rule will extend “to the ends of the earth,” not because of human innovation or ambition, but because God Himself is advancing His purposes. Her prayer anticipates the coming Messiah, the true King whose reign will never end.

For believers, this truth invites both humility and confidence. God does not need human hype to accomplish His will. When God gets the glory, His kingdom advances steadily, faithfully, and eternally.

Reflection Questions
Where are you tempted to rely on hype or self-confidence instead of God’s power?
How does trusting God’s eternal kingdom reshape your priorities?

Suggested Prayer
King Jesus, help me live for Your glory, trusting Your kingdom more than my own plans.