I Samuel 1:15 states, “And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.”
The world is quick to take the most and give you the least…
There was a mother who had two sons. The older brother always wanted to be first, have the most toys, and get the most attention. The wise mother gave the boys a candy bar to share and told the oldest to cut the candy bar in half and let his brother choose the piece he wanted. It was too bad that he had already cut a big and little piece.
Hannah was in the temple pouring out her soul before the Lord for “…the Lord had shut up her womb” (I Samuel 1:5). Her husband, Elkanah, had two wives. Pininnah had sons and daughters, and provoked Hannah because she was barren. Elkanah didn’t understand. In verse 8 Elkanah responds, “…am I not better to thee than ten sons?” As she poured out her soul before the Lord in the temple, Eli the priest, not knowing her heart’s desire, blessed her and said, “…the God of Israel grant thee thy petition…” (V. 17). She arose and had faith that God had heard her prayer. Little did she know that she was about to join the “miracle birth club” along with Sarai (bearing Isaac) and Mary (bearing Jesus).
Later, King David poured out his soul before the Lord in a cave. Psalm 142:1-4 says, “I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.”
Perhaps you have known sorrow in your life, maybe even now. It can come in many forms. It has a way of breaking our hearts. I love the hymn, “No One Understands like Jesus,” by John W. Peterson. Verse one says, “No one understands like Jesus; He’s a friend beyond compare. Meet Him at the throne of mercy; He is waiting for you there.” The chorus goes on to say, “No one understands like Jesus; When the days are dark and grim. No one is so near, so dear as Jesus; Cast your every care on Him.”
When you pour your heart out to God it touches His heart. Tears are precious in the sight of the Lord. Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him:…” In the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 12:27), “pouring out” was a part of worship; “…the blood of the sacrifices shall be poured out upon the altar of the Lord thy God…” In Isaiah 53:12 we see a prophecy of Jesus; “…he hath poured out his soul unto death:…” In Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17 God said, “…I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh:…”
What a powerful freedom, a wonderful relief when our soul is POURED OUT!
