1 Samuel 2:9-10, "He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness. It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be broken. The Most High will thunder 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."

Think

In today's reading, Hannah concludes her heartfelt prayer by reaffirming two truths: God protects his faithful followers and opposes the proud who credit themselves for their success. This is a great reminder that in God's eyes we are either an ally or an adversary; we are either for him or against him. Hannah's words also remind us – and herself – that despite the chaos in the world around us, we can be confident in God's protection if we have faith in his almighty power. In fact, his Word tells us to not be afraid because he is with us over 365 times! Today's culture is obsessed with the notion of self-empowerment, autonomy and looking within to find happiness. Do not be deceived by such messaging. Our all-powerful God, who spoke the world and YOU into existence, should be the only source that directs our course! As the ultimate ally, he promises to love, protect, and strengthen us no matter what we face. And with him on our side – and our faith in him – God will do incredibly more than we can ever ask for or imagine!

Act

Take a moment to honestly evaluate whether you are an ally or an adversary of God. When your world gets turned upside down and nothing seems to make sense, do you rely upon your own ability or God's strength to weather the storm? What is your track record? Decide today to become God's ally and place your faith in him no matter what life may bring.

Pray

Dear God, thank you for the promises you've made to those who place their trust in you. As your ally, help me to be your faithful servant. I praise you for your amazing power. In Jesus' name, Amen.