July 2 2018

When they don’t seem to understand

So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the LORD. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish…..And it happened, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” 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. “Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” 1 Sam 1:9-10, 12-16

Hannah prayed out of the depths of her sorrow and out of the depths of her belief in a God who was merciful and faithful.
Eli, the priest, in watching her, mistook her intensity for drunkenness.
When you go in deep with the Lord, there will be those around you who will mistake the intensity that comes from the depths of your sorrow and faith, as something inappropriate and untoward.
Hannah offered up a defense of herself and Eli blessed her.
Sometimes once people understand where we’ve been and the journey you are wading through, they will turn and bless you.
But some pasts and some journeys are more difficult for others to understand.
In those times, you need to be OK with their questioning and understand that not everyone will understand your suffering, your prayers and/or your worship.
The only one that really matters will always hear you and will always understand you.

Posted July 2, 2018 by Laurie Hopkins in category "Uncategorized

When they don’t seem to understand

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