Pouring out

In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD...

“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD.” 1 Sam. 1.10,15

Hannah was desolate. Though her husband loved her dearly, her womb was closed. She had no children and this saddened her. Her husband’s other wife, Peninnah, who had many children, tormented and provoked her. During their annual visit to the temple to worship and sacrifice to the Lord, Hannah would be so upset and distraught that she found herself praying with much bitterness of soul. She was tormented by the lack of children in her life. It was obviously God’s will and it caused her so much pain. Consequently she would have spoken out of a mood that might seem hardly conducive to prayer. Indeed Eli the priest thought she was drunk. Her lips moved in prayer, but no sound came from her mouth. Eli told her to be rid of her wine. She replied by telling him of her deep distress. She was troubled. How difficult it must have been for her to hold these things in her heart and yet pray out to the Lord. But this is what she did. She poured out her soul to the Lord. I have a sense that, in her abject misery, she emptied her heart before God, dumping everything, possibly with the bitterest complaint directed to Him.

And the Lord responded in blessing. He heard Hannah’s cry. He opened her womb and blessed her with a child, not only a child but a son, most precious in those days. Hannah in her gratefulness, and in obedience to her prior promise, dedicated her son, Samuel, to the service of the Lord. And a mighty man of God ministered and witnessed to the world!

Why did God respond to Hannah’s prayer which came out of the bitterness of her heart? Maybe out of love and compassion! I sense that her honesty played a part. She was heartbroken and despairing, and possibly blaming the Lord. And it appears that she said so. God received her honesty, and responded in love.

Dear Lord,

I thank You that we can come to You whatever our state is. Even in the depths of bitterness we are able to cry out to You and to release our pain and anguish to You.

I thank You for the security and safety of being able to bring our deepest concerns and fears to You. But, more than this, I thank You that You respond to us in mercy, grace and love. You hear and You receive our heartaches, and You bring comfort and relief. In Hannah’s case You brought the blessing of a son.

Lord God, nothing is impossible for You. Your love saves and releases, empowers and blesses. May I ever live in the safe-keeping of Your love. May I know Your protection and guidance at all times,    In Jesus’ name I pray.                                                             Amen.