Discouragement or praise hymns?
by Peter Bean
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I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:15b).
Read 1 Samuel 1:1–20
It’s not popular to talk about our woes or to suggest we are discouraged or down in the dumps. Enter that into a conversation, and it is likely people will turn away. How sad!
When you read (and work with) the psalms, as I have been doing for more than three years, you learn that people were willing to take their gripes to their God. As American theologian Walter Brueggemann said, ‘Old Testament praise is not a practice of “praise hymns” that cover over the reality of life. Rather, there is a habit of truth-telling, to wonder where the loving mercy of God is.’ Again and again, the people ask, ‘Where are you, God?’
In these verses today, I can imagine Hannah speaking some truth-telling to the Lord. ‘Why have you not given me children? Where is your mercy, Lord? Have you forgotten me?’ She was so distressed that Eli, the priest, thought she had been drinking (verses 13 and 14).
But Hannah quickly made it clear that was not the case. Instead, she was pouring out her heart to the Lord. After their conversation, Eli wished her peace and that her request would be granted. She went away no longer sad (verse 18).
If you are discouraged, I want to encourage you to be brave. Take your concerns to the Lord. Take part in some truth-telling. God is big enough to take it. Pour out your heart; wait on the Lord. If you don’t know what to say, let your sighs be your prayer. Take comfort that the Spirit takes them to God (Romans 8:26–28). Or you might want to use a psalm; try Psalm 88, Psalm 86 or another one that works for you.
Let your thoughts or words of discouragement become praise hymns to the Lord.
Lord, when I am discouraged, help me come to you with words, thoughts and sighs. Let your Spirit plead for me. And then grant me peace as I wait for your mercy. Amen.
If you would like to read Peter’s paraphrase of Psalm 86 or 88, email him with your request: pbean087@gmail.com
Spring has sprung. Flowers are displaying their colours; fruit is forming on the trees. There is new growth everywhere. Peter prays that as you observe this wonderful new life, may you revel in the new beginnings God offers you each day. As Peter continues to meander his way through the psalms, he invites you to read them anew, applying them to your lives. If you would like his paraphrase of any psalm (from 1 to 91), send your request to pbean087@gmail.com
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