April 28– 1 Samuel 1:9-18

April 28– 1 Samuel 1:9-18

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.” ¹⁸ And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

 

How I feel for Hannah.  She was praying with everything in her being and pouring her heart out to the Lord and the priest misunderstood what was going on and made a judgement call about her.  Have you ever had someone judge you based on wrong information or lack of information?  Have you ever judged someone else in the same way?  Maybe because of how they were dressed, or how they smelled, or maybe who they hung out with?  Jesus was seen often with tax collectors and sinners and the Pharisees judged him harshly because of it.  This priest did at least listen to Hannah and gave her a second chance, but many times we don’t get that chance.  Many times we are locked into that judgment and never given an opportunity to show who we are.  I pray that you, like Eli, the priest, will listen and judge people based on who they are in the Lord, and not strictly on your first impression.

 

Heavenly Father, this story is so precious.  Not just because Hannah was so broken over her infertility, but she knew who could do something about it.  She knew that You, the Creator of all things was the one she could rely on to give her a child if it was Your will.  I love that she opened her heart and wept with desire for a child.  Thank You for putting Eli in the right place to meet her and bless her.  I do ask that You would send people like Eli into my life to encourage me and to allow those around me to be encouraged by me.  Help me to see those who need a kind word, a hug, even a smile to show that they too are loved.  Help me be a blessing to someone who needs to know You are always there for them.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen!