There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2: 2

1 Samuel 2 is a song of praise by Hannah. If we were to sum up her song, perhaps it would be
that “God is in control; therefore, rejoice!” Admittedly, it is sometimes hard for us to see that
God is in control when we are going through a difficult time. However, that is when it can be
helpful to hear the testimony of someone else who has gone through a difficult time and has
gained victory. Hannah’s song is her testimony, not only of what God has done in her life, but of
how God operates in all of life.

Hannah knew what it was like to suffer pain. She was barren. Her husband’s second wife,
Peninnah, often provoked her to tears because of this. But when she cried out to God for a son
that she could dedicate to him, God answered her prayer and gave her the boy Samuel. Hannah
fulfilled her responsibility of nursing and weaning Samuel. She fulfilled her vow by dedicating
Samuel to the service of the Lord. And now, overcome by emotion at God’s gracious dealings
with her, Hannah rejoices in God’s sovereign rule over all things. She cries out, “My heart
rejoices in God!” (vs. 1) Why does she rejoice? Because God is in control of all things. This is
her story. This is her song.

She affirms in verse 1 that no one can rescue like God. In verse 2, today’s Watchword, she
declares that no one is holy like God – “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one
besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” God’s holiness means his separateness. When we
say that God is holy, we mean that God is separate from all creation. He is above all things; he is
before all things; he is sovereign over all. But God’s holiness also refers to his righteousness and
purity. God is perfectly holy and just. That is important when we talk about God being in control.
If an unholy God was in control of the universe, we are not likely to find that very comforting.
But God is holy. There is no one holy like the Lord. God is majestic. He is all powerful, all
knowing, everywhere present. “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, perfect in power, love and
purity.” We cannot compare God to anyone else. There is no one holy like God.

Today’s text also has Hannah announcing that no one protects like God. This is what Hannah
means when she says, “There is no Rock like our God.” In Bible times a rock was a place of
safety and refuge. We may look to all sorts of things and people in life as our refuge or safety
net, but there is no safer place than in the hands of God. No matter what trials we may be going
through today, when God is our Rock, we are safe, we are protected.

So today, let us hear again Hannah’s declaration – There is no one like God. No one rescues like
God; no one is holy like God; no one protects like God. God is in control; therefore, rejoice! Like
Hannah, may our hearts rejoice in God today and everyday. Amen.
Jermaine Gibson