Wow, it's been so long even my loyal readers probably aren't checking anymore. The last few months have been hectic with illness and family struggles. Rest assured that while I have been absent from my blog, it is so I could be more present with my family and our church. God continues to be so very good to us. While there are struggles, there are also so many blessings and we have to rest in the knowledge that He is in control and nothing surprises Him. I hope you all are doing well and walking with Him.
This is a longer passage from 1 Samuel 1, but worth it, "9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head. 12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you. 15 But Hannah answered, No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation. 17 Then Eli answered, Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him."
It is a familiar passage, isn't it? Maybe you skimmed it as I have many times and thought, it's a little weird that Eli thought Hannah was drunk, she was just praying silently, we do it all the time. When we think like that, I think we miss how distraught Hannah was. I'm guessing Eli had some experience with seeing people pray. Yet, to him this was very out-of-the-ordinary. She was passionately begging God - so passionately that she appeared to be drunk. Imagine that for a moment. She was a broken lady. I ask myself, how often have I been so broken that I pour my heart out to God, not knowing, or caring, what it looks like? I don't know about you, but I have to answer, not often enough. Let's take a lesson from Hannah. Maybe it's time we got back to passionate prayer. |
