Hello Friend!
How in the world are you? I hope all is well with you. I know I say this every month, but can you believe that it's October already? Where in the world has 2018 gone?
Way back in January (which really doesn't seem like that long ago), I attended a workshop hosted by the Simeon Trust on teaching 1 Samuel. Last week, 10 short months later, I finally started teaching it at church. Our second session is tonight, and we'll walk through the opening chapters of the book. They're some good ones, y'all.
Maybe you're familiar with Hannah's story. It's recorded in 1 Samuel 1-2. Here's the short version: She's struggling with infertility, and she desperately wants a child. The Lord answers her prayers, gives her the child that she longs for, and she turns around and gives the child right back to God. As much as I would love to dive deep into her story right here and right now, we only have time to talk about one small part of it.
Her prayers.
In those two short chapters, two of Hannah's prayers are recorded. The first is marked by bitterness, weeping, desperation, and desolation. She's heartbroken. Wrecked. Wretched. Alone. The second is marked by rejoicing, triumph, gratitude, and praise. She's thankful. Favored. Joyful. Blessed.
Both are unapologetically emotional. Whether desolate or triumphant, Hannah hides nothing from the Lord. She knows him, y'all. And because she knows him, she knows it's safe to pour it ALL out before him. We're talking full on ugly face cry, straight up dancing in the streets, and everything in between. She leaves all of it right there at his feet and trusts him to do with it what he will. Neither her grief nor her joy can be contained. It spills out in bitter tears and joyful praise. She is who she is, and she's unashamed before God. She has a heart devoted to him. No matter what.
What a magnificent example of what faithfulness looks like. Hannah's story is beautiful and compelling and convicting all at the same time. I want to be like her when I grow up. I long for that kind of intimacy. That kind of faithfulness. That kind of trust. Don't you? May the same fervent devotion take root in our hearts and spill out in our prayers today and tomorrow and the day after that too.
Until next time, grace and peace.
