No Rock like God

In the midst of her prayer shortly after the birth of Samuel, Hannah says, “There is no Rock like our God” (2 Samuel 2:2)
What does it mean for God to be our Rock?
I think we often think of God more like a lucky charm. When we need the charm, we pull it out and wish for what we want. I don’t think that’s what Hannah had in mind when she called God a Rock.
A rock is steady. Whether the waves beat against it or the waters are calm, the rock remains. Come rain or shine, the rock remains. A rock can be a place to stand that does not move and provides stability.
Yes, Hannah’s prayer was answered. But Hannah’s response is different than a lot of our responses. It seems as though people tend to have two responses to prayer. Either they get upset when God doesn’t answer or they forget to give God credit or fulfil their commitment to God when the prayer is answered.
I think the reason that Hannah’s story is so incredible is that she kept her commitment to God after the prayer was answered. Many people would have probably said something like the following: “Thanks for the child, God. I appreciate you answering my prayer.” That was not Hannah’s response. Hannah said the following:
“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” (1 Samuel 1:27-28)
The next time you pray and God answers, remember that God is the Rock who knows and provides for us. But God is not our personal genie. We must not forget “that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good.” (Romans 8:28)
God does not answer prayers for our individual, personal benefit. God moves in ways that consider all things and the redemption of all of Creation. Prayers are not a collection of individual requests that stack up for God to grant. Rather, prayers are a collective cry of Creation seeking the One who can make all things new.
Hannah must have had some understanding of that. When Samuel was born she did not keep him. Rather, she gave Samuel to the Lord and realized that her prayer was not answered just so she could be a mother. Rather, God used her prayer as a way to bring forth a mighty prophet who blessed the entire nation of Israel.
May we be people who seek an attitude like Hannah’s and offer prayers that frame our individual needs and desires in the larger framework of God’s mission to rescue all of Creation.

shine!
Jason