Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 1:15, NKJV- “But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.”
“Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk” 1 Samuel 1:13, NIV. The world may think we are drunk or crazy when we fervently pray to our LORD.
In 1 Samuel 1:10, we are told that Hannah prayed out of her deep anguish and bitterness of her soul for wanting a son and she wept. Is there something that we desire so much of the LORD we cry out and weep? Many times, it is at this place in life where everything else seems unimportant and trivial. LORD, I am pouring out my soul before You. I need You LORD!
Even Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” This was recorded in Mark 15:34 and Matthew 27:45-46. Matthew 27:50 then states Jesus gave up or yielded His Spirit. Mark said he breathed his last breath.
Like Hannah and Jesus, we must pour out our soul and spirit, many times in anguish, and trust God for His will to be done. The New Living Translation of 1 Samuel 1:15 adds the perspective that Hannah said, “ I am very discouraged.” Have you ever been discouraged and doubted whether your prayers were even being heard? At points of anguish, we learn to pour out our souls. At points of great thanksgivings, we learn to pour out our praises.
The LORD answered Hannah’s prayers, and He answers ours in His timing and will. Jesus’ Spirit was poured out for our salvation and to give us the Spirit to make disciples of all nations. I found myself asking Jesus this morning to teach me His level of intensity and passion in which He poured out His soul to the LORD.
When we leave our all before our LORD, we can all move forward as Hannah did in 1 Samuel 1:17-18 and “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him. She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.” (NIV) As we go in peace, we must simply trust that God has heard our prayers and that we find favor in His eyes.
Early the next morning Hannah and her husband worshipped before the LORD and went back home. There the LORD remembered her and blessed her. As we pour our hearts out before the LORD, we can rest assured that He has heard us and He will remember our prayers and fulfill His will through us.
Hannah did cry out for her son, and she also fulfilled her promise to give this son to the LORD. As 1 Samuel 2:1-2 states, “Then Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the LORD! The LORD has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me. No one is holy like the LORD! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” (NLT)
You and I can rejoice today and know there is no one besides our LORD who is our rock. Will you pour out your soul and put your trust in the LORD?
Prayer: Father God, we need You. We pour out our souls before You. We give up our spirits to receive Your Spirit and strength. Thank You, LORD, for answering our prayers and granting us salvation and power. LORD, I am giving You my soul and trusting in Your will and favor. I am giving You all that I have so that I live all that You have in store through me. I am rejoicing and praising Your name. Amen.
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