Exodus 8:1-32; Psalms 38:1-39:13; Acts 3:1-26
Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:1
This chapter begins with ten verses of a song sung by Hannah after she brought her young son, her only son at that time, to serve in the Temple. Hannah is amazing for many reasons including that she is the first to call God, the Lord of hosts (1:11). But what impresses me today is that Hannah is singing here— not because she received a son, nor because she was able to keep her son. She was singing because she could give her son. Paul tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. Hannah must have delighted His heart that day. —M. MacMullen
Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small,
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my heart, my life, my all. —Isaac Watts