“Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” Eli answered, “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. I Samuel 16-18
The story of Hannah is quite crazy in sadness, heartbrokenness, a search for answers, anguish, grief . . . surrender, expression, faithfulness, trust, obedience, worship . . . great love, honor, answers, blessings, peace and assurance. It’s a story of rescue!
Hannah sought the answers to the many questions in life she faced from those around her and not once did she find a solution. Isn’t it just like any one of us to search for the answers we long to find in others — friends, family and sometimes strangers. But never will I find true peace in the midst of brokenness unless I seek the Prince of Peace.
Hannah fell to her knees in great despair . . . the Bible describes it as anguish and grief, two things that the wrath of true crisis brings upon anyone who experiences such pain. It further describes her in prayer, in such deep grief, words were unable to leave her lips while her mouth continued to move. The priest thought sure she was drunk — but no, she was declaring, expressing, worshipping in prayer the depth of her own heart, the brokenness of her own spirit to the One she knew could heal.
And in this moment of honesty, she then went on her way — in peace! How could this be? Not only on her way did she go, but she actually ate something! In crisis, in true heartbrokenness, the appetite is so small. This is evidence of her in essence saying — believing — “I have shared my heart with my Lord and He knows all things — my hurt, my longing, my desires, my brokenness — whatever comes of this will clearly be of Him because He knows!”
Wow! Because HE knows!
Lord Jesus, may I have the courage to stand from my own knees and no longer worry, no longer allow my circumstances to bring my face downcast BECAUSE YOU KNOW!