Nov 30

In the heat of her anguish over her barrenness, Hannah prayed fervently to the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:15 says that she poured out her soul to the Lord.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm 62:8:"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."

Our God is a personal God and desires to have a relationship with us. He wants us to pour out our hearts to him when we are hurting and learn that we can trust him to provide healing for our hurting hearts.

I do this frequently, whether hurting or in more joyous circumstances. I simply pour out my heart to God, telling him what causes me sorrow, sharing what brings me joy, thanking him so much for all he has done for me and simply for the greatness of who he is. That's what life is all about, isn't it? -- sharing one's heart with someone who cares?

What was the result of Hannah's heartfelt cry to God? Verse 18 says that after hearing words of encouragement from the priest who had seen her anguish, she went on her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

From crying out from the depths of her heart to God, this believer in God goes back to her ordinary tasks of life with a new peace and joy reflected in her face. She as yet had had no answer to her prayer, no child, but that did not matter. What mattered was that she knew that all was in the hands of God. She had done her part, submitting to God as his own child; now all else was up to him. Whether or not he gave her the request of her heart was not the main thing; it was that all was well between them. When we awake to this realization that that is all that matters, then we are satisfied.

"You still the hunger of those you cherish . . . and I . . . when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness" (Psalm 17:14, 15).

Scripture for today: 1 Samuel 1:1-20; Psalm 17:14, 15
Thought for today: God satisfies my hunger for love.
Prayer for today: Thank you, Lord, for stilling the hunger of my heart for love by filling it with yourself.

NOV 30