DAILY STRENGTH FOR MEN
February 23 (day 2)

Passage: Verse in Context - 1 Samuel 1:10-11, 2:1-7 NRSV

She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD< and wept bitterly. She made this vow: "O LORD of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a Nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head." Hannah prayed and said, " My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory. There is no Holy One like the LORD, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the might are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD make poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts."

Questions for Reflection and Application

* Do you agree with Hannah that the bows of the mighty are broken but the feeble bind on strength? When have you witness that?

* Do you think that when he overcame cancer, Lance Armstrong really appreciated his life in a completely new and better way? If so, then what went wrong for him?

* If God were to rate your appreciation or gratitude on a scale of one to one, how would he score you?

* How much do you rely on God for strength? In what situations are you willing to admit that you cannot "win" on your own?

God, help me to remember that while some people appear to be strong on their own, true and lasting strength comes only from you. Amen.