Just Spit it Out, Hannah, Just Spit it Out!

1Sa 1:10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

1Sa 1:11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head

What do you long for in this life? Does it hinder your walk with God or do you see that this desire that you have will cause you to know God better?  We get mixed up sometimes as women, don’t we? Just be honest with the Lord even if it may come out all wrong to you or to the one listening to your plea to Him. Being honest is totally admitting to all weakness, strengths, and personal desires.  “Just spit it out!” 

As a little girl, I had difficulty speaking at times and would fumble and fall over words that just would not come out properly and Daddy used to say to me, "Just spit it out, Sharon. Just spit it out!"

In other words, "Don't worry about how it sounds, just say whatever you can while you have the opportunity to speak. We'll sort it out together, later."

Hannah was completely honest with her Lord.  She took advantage of her time alone with God even to the point where she was misunderstood as she prayed. The man of God, Eli, thought she was drunk. Her countenance was that of a woman in dire distress and not a woman confident in God’s way. She longed for a child and more specifically, a man child.  Maybe her longing was purely personal and not spiritual, but in the house of prayer, she made it clear that she was willing to give her son back to God. I believe she meant it but I believe she struggled with giving him up, don’t you?

What can we learn from this Hannah who took advantage of her moment with God?

She was honest! She wanted a child, Elkanah’s child! For some reason God had not blessed her with children. Maybe you are a woman who has had several miscarriages or an abortion and now, your soul is eaten up with guilt. You cannot turn the clock back. If you are going to be heard by God, then a miracle must come about, and there you are at the altar, promising God whatever it takes to get his attention to your prayer and the longing of your heart.  Let’s go with Hannah to the secret place of prayer. Can you identify with Hannah?

Your request to God is more than a prayer request. It is your heart, your gut, your oxygen, your life support, your water of life and you cannot function properly anymore.

No one understands your longing; your need for this emptiness inside your soul, not even your husband.

You feel guilty. You have everything else a woman could want and people remind you of it too often. 

It doesn’t fill the empty hole in your heart. They want to understand, maybe, but they just can’t. It is not their longing and it is not their desire. It is Yours!

You are told to be thankful for all that God has given you. You have, but it doesn’t fill the emptiness. 

You believe God will hear you, eventually AND answer you, eventually. Therefore, you will continue to beg God for your longing of heart.

The day comes to go to the altar. How many times have you been there, on your knees begging God! 

People talk but you don’t care. Your enemies rejoice but it doesn’t matter. You have told God everything and then more.

You cannot speak out loud. All your words have been spoken. Only your heart speaks but your lips move.  You have entered into the Holy of Holies. You are willing now; to do whatever it takes to get God to look you in the face, breathe His breath upon your own nostrils because if He doesn’t, you will not make it for another day. You make the vow. There, it is said! You may feel foolish, but it doesn’t matter anymore, you have taken advantage of this moment, of this time alone with God and only He can help you. You are ready to die for your longing of heart!

1Sa 1:13-18 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

What is your longing of heart and are you willing to go into the Holy of Holies, stay there weeping until God comes to answer? Hannah took advantage of that day, the hour and the man of God was present as well as OUR God.  He wants to hear your longing of heart. How far are you willing to go and take advantage of this day, this hour, and minute?

What do I know about God in this scripture and the example of Hannah? God hears me even when I cannot speak. He already knows the longing of my heart but He wants to HEAR from me. He answered Hannah and He will answer me, and dear one, He WILL answer you!

Until next time, Lord willing.

Sharon