‘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”‘ (1 Samuel 1:15 ESV).
Hannah was childless. At her family’s annual visit to the Tabernacle at Shiloh to worship and bring offerings, she was so stricken with grief that she could only mouth the words to her prayers. Her lips moved, but no sound came forth. She cried out from her heart that the Lord would give her a son. She promised to give him back to the Lord all the days of his life, if only she might bear a male child.
Eli, the priest, was sitting at the door of the Tabernacle watching Hannah. He saw her lips moving without sound and wrongly assumed that she was drunk. He admonished her to put away her wine. But Hannah corrected him, explaining that what he had seen was not the result of wine being poured in, but from the sorrow in her soul being poured out. So, Eli blessed her, asking the Lord to grant her petition.
Have you seen one like Hannah at your worship services or small group meetings? Don’t be like Eli and assume that you know what motivates their behavior. Wouldn’t it be better to ask what troubles her and offer to pray with her first? Eli ultimately makes it right. But only because of Hannah’s humility in answering.
Would those who are hurting like Hannah find a place of blessing and support in your church?
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us not to judge others according to their outward appearance or behavior. For only You know the condition of their souls. Instead, help us to offer blessing and real help in the name of Your Son, Jesus. For it’s in His name that we pray, amen.