The Wednesday Word 5.10.2023

1 Samuel 1:9-20

9 Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. 10 Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the LORD. 11 And she made this vow: “O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the LORD, his hair will never be cut.” 12 As she was praying to the LORD, Eli watched her. 13 Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. 14 “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!” 15 “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the LORD. 16 Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.”17 “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” 18 “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.19 The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship the LORD once more. Then they returned home to Ramah. When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the LORD remembered her plea, 20 and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the LORD for him.”

 

Pouring out your heart to the Lord is a very good idea, especially if you are filled with anguish and sorrow. It is a very good idea when you are filled with joy. When you get down to it, it is a good idea all the time. Hannah’s deepest desire was fulfilled. That doesn’t necessarily mean your every desire is going to come to fruition. God is not a genie to grant wishes. Think of it this way: just because you discuss your issue with a dear and trusted friend, it is not going to automatically come true. What discussion does is organize your thoughts, help you to evaluate the merits or flaws in your thinking, and help formulate a plan. When you lay these matters before the Lord, you are organizing, evaluating and laying down the burden of the issue or expressing your gratitude. Unlike your friend, the Lord already knows all about it. He wants to hear your take on the situation. He wants to guide you to the right next right step, steps in his direction, that will lead you to a better life. You may find the answers you seek. You may find out you were asking the wrong questions…something to pray about.

 

Don’t forget to look for the Lord today. Vicki H.


                                                                                            photo by Patrick Fore
                            




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