Don’t Compare Your Sound!

There are many sounds we associate with the Lord doing a new thing – a war cry like Joshua or singing songs of praise like David… One sound I think we sometimes forget is that a lot of the breakthrough we see comes with a cry that is costly. In 1 Samuel 1, we see that Hannah was desperate. She was in a constant state of comparison, constant doubt, and feeling inadequate. After some time, instead of sulking and resonating with how she felt inside, she went to the Lord and prayed. This prayer wasn’t a “God, You’re so good to me. I feel so happy in what you’re doing right now!” kind of prayer – it was one of sorrow. In 1 Samuel 1:9-18, Hannah is praying in her lack. She’s praying through a season of brokenness, fear, sadness, and confusion for why God hasn’t given her a son. While she’s praying, the prophet Eli mistakes her prayers as drunkenness because of how desperate it looked (Think ugly crying, snot and all, and despite her best attempts, all her words come out mumbled and jumbled.) After Hannah explains the situation to Eli, he tells her to go in peace, that the God of Israel is granting her request of Him. (v. 15). Hannah then walks in the joy of the Lord knowing that although I may not see it yet, I may not feel it yet, I know that my God is working on my behalf.

With all of this said, the takeaway I want you to hold onto is that yes, there is a sound we heard during City Week, and for some of you it might have been a war cry fighting for break through, for others it was praise, but I want to encourage those whose cry is coming from a place of desperation, of asking “when God?” or “why not now?” God sees you, and He hears you. So when you take your prayers, your desires, and your dreams to Him, they don’t have to sound the most eloquent or the most relatable. There is a sound you carry when you push past your uncomfortability to see your breakthrough. Hold on to knowing that whichever season you are in, when you are seeking the Father, you are found! Do not compare your sound to the sound of others; Psalm 139:14 reminds us that we EACH are fearfully and wonderfully made, unlike any other person. YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made, special to God. Hannah found comfort in that. She knew that God created her, formed her, and was doing a new thing in her. Walk in confidence knowing that you carry your own sound, that is used for His Glory!

QUESTION FOR TODAY: What season do I feel I’m in with my prayers – a war cry, a cry of praise, or a cry of desperation like Hannah? How can I lean into God in this season?

PRAY THIS:

God, I need You to help me to see You’re still good in each and every season. Teach me how to follow Your lead in whatever season I’m facing. Please remind me that You are with me in all circumstances when I begin to forget. You are worthy of all praise. Help me to come to You when I feel it’s my best day or my worst day. You are worthy of it all. I love You and praise You, In Jesus’ name, Amen!

TRY THIS:

If you’re walking through something that is hard to talk about, try journaling to God. Write out your thoughts and feelings as they come to you.