Today’s Reading 1 Samuel 1-3
Focal Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:15 “No, my Lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman with a broken heart. I haven’t had any wine or beer; I’ve been pouring out my heart before the Lord.”
The story again shifts in the nation of Israel. In 1st Samuel we begin to see people who have humble hearts and a spirit that honors God. The book of judges showed what bad leadership looked like. Even here at the beginning of Samuel we see that Eli the priest would not deal with his sons.
However, we thankfully see the good from people as well. Hannah, desperately wanted a son and her requests were not being honored. She was struggling and needed to pour out her heart to the Lord.
She didn’t complain to others. She didn’t wallow is self doubt. She did acknowledge how she was feeling. She also prayed to the Lord with passion and left everything she had to him.
The lessons for believers are many. First, we must pour out our hearts to God. Too often we go to others before we go to the Lord. They may know us and care for us but they will never understand our heart the way God does.
Hannah shows us that our prayer life has to be more than just words recited or prayers memorized. Prayer is an outpouring of one’s heart to the only one who can actually do something to address our concern.
Prayer is passionate, intimate, and life altering. I challenge you today to make prayer a priority. To pray with earnest and seek the Lord. He will listen. He will respond. He cares for you deeply.
Trust the Lord today with all that you have. He wants to hear from you.
Tomorrow I plan on reading 1 Samuel 4-8
