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 from what was seen in the book of Judges. 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 with their behavior.
However, we thankfully see the good from people in the Bible 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 in self doubt. She did however, acknowledge how she was feeling. She prayed to the Lord with passion and left everything she had to him. She poured out her heart to the only person who could understand her position.
The lessons for believers are many from today’s reading. First, we must pour out our hearts to God when we are in distress. 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. Our first response must be to expose our pain and suffering to our creator.
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 real communication with an all powerful God. Prayer is a two way conversation that reveals how we view the one we worship. 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
