Two women living in two different times...

...delivering the very same messages under the power of the ONE Holy Spirit!

Sometime ago I introduced Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, from the book of I Samuel in the Old Testament.

Hannah, as you will recall, offered the son she had so fervently prayed for as an offering to the LORD. When he was weaned, so probably "preschool age," Hannah brought him to the temple in Shiloh to leave him there to be raised by Eli the priest and to serve in the temple of the LORD.

As she does this, the Holy Spirit comes upon her, and in this prophetic state she utters profound truths in a series of declarations concerning the One living and true God. Hannah lived around 1100 BC.

Fast forward to the exact time of the turn from BC to AD - 1100 years later, and Mary, the young girl who is carrying the incarnation of the One living and true God in her womb, is paying a visit to her much older cousin Elizabeth, who is carrying John, who will become known as "the Baptist" one day. As they greet each other, John leaps within Elizabeth's body as he comes into proximity with the Lord Jesus Christ, and Mary is immediately overcome by the Holy Spirit. In that state she utters a prophetic prayer very similar to Hannah's. In modern times of Christianity, this prayer is often referred to as "The Magnificat."

When I say "prophetically" I am not referring to the form of prophecy that foretells future events but that "tells out" pure profound truth straight from the Spirit of God. In other words, this wasn't Hannah or Mary being particularly articulate about things they knew from their knowledge base. What made them fit to be vessels for "channeling" the Spirit of God - if you will - was their posture before Him; their humility before Him, their understanding of their dependence on Him, their absolute-without-question trust in Him and, most of all, their sold-out "you-are-MINE - and-I-am-YOURS!" exclusive love for Him.

It is important to understand that as believers today, the Holy Spirit lives within us. That doesn't mean that the things we say are straight from His mouth. Oh, no, not at all. What happened with Hannah and Mary were unique events; God, Himself, filling humans beings temporarily with His precise words to be delivered to us and to be declared to all beings that comprise the spiritual world, both good and evil - angels; principalities and powers - and redounding throughout the centuries of time and on into eternity (Eph 6).

In future posts I am going to peel back the layers on the astounding truths contained in the words communicated to us from God through the utterances of these two humble women, Hannah and Mary. I would say they are more than well worth paying attention to, if we are wise.

Today I am simply posting a chart of them side by side. The idea is to keep them in the order they were spoken, so comparing one to the other across the lines is not intended to be precise, but you will certainly see the similarities. They basically say the exact same things. I enjoy reading one at a time as they were spoken; I also enjoy reading them side by side in a flow going down the page. Lots to unpack there!

Let's think about it. If God - in two moments of huge consequence in history - overcame two ordinary women to speak the very same words about Himself, shouldn't we be rushing to find out what they are so that we can know Him better? And the messages are all comfort and joy for those who belong to Him. Who could worry or be afraid?

I hope, as well, that you will be blessed with a spirit of worship as you read these inspired words and will be prompted out of your heart to offer your own humble, loving adoration as a sweet incense for Him to enjoy. Believe me, He will literally, really, in real time, enjoy it. Doesn't that just blow your mind? It is beyond understanding. BUT... it is the best news ever!

HANNAH  (1 Samuel 2:1-10)	MARY  (Luke 1:46-55)
Then Hannah prayed and said,	And Mary said,
“My heart exults in the LORD;	“My soul exalts the LORD,
My horn is exalted in the LORD,	And my spirit has rejoiced in God, my Savior.
My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies,	For He has had regard for the humble state of his bondslave,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.	For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
There is no one like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You.	For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
Nor is there any rock like our God. Boast no more so very proudly,	And His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who fear Him.
Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;	He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
For the LORD is a God of knowledge, and with Him actions are weighed.	He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
The bows of the mighty are shattered, but the feeble gird on strength.	He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
Those who were full hire themselves out for bread,	And has exalted those who were humble.
But those who were hungry cease to hunger.	He has filled the hungry with good things,
Even the barren gives birth to seven,	And sent away the rich empty-handed.
But she who has many children languishes.	He has given help to Israel His servant,
The LORD kills and makes alive;	In remembrance of His mercy,
He brings down to Sheol and raises up.	As He spoke to our fathers,
The LORD makes poor and rich;	To Abraham and his descendants forever.”
He brings low; He also exalts.
He raises the poor from the dust,
He lifts the needy from the ash heap
To make them sit with nobles,
And inherit a seat of honor;
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s,
He set the world upon them.
He keeps the feet of His godly ones,
But the wicked ones are silenced in the darkness.
For not by might shall a man prevail.
Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered;
Against them He will thunder in the heavens.
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;
And he will give strength to His king,
And will exalt the horn of His anointed.”