“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin”  ( Hebrews 4:15).

Hannah had a problem. Caught in a polygamous marriage she was barren and her rival Peninnah would not spare her. “Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her” ( I Samuel 1: 6). But Hannah kept faith. An opportunity came when Eli, the priest, mistaking her fervent prayers imagined her drunk instead. “Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine” ( vv 13-14).

But of course she wasnt. “Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief” (vv 16), she waved in protest. So, “Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him”

Eli the priest pleaded on Hannah’s behalf. “So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him” ( vv 20).

When Jesus came here on earth, and died on the cross for our sins, he became the high priest whom we all believers have equal access and can go to directly to plead our case. For “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” ( Romans 8:34). Where one might have been constrained to approach a priest to pray on his behalf, and perhaps be misunderstood as Hannah was at first, with Jesus we go directly to the throne of grace, where we lay all our requests to take them to our Father in heaven. What a blessing we should never hesitate to tap into!

Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, through your son Jesus Christ we have a high priest interceding on our behalf, day and night, and whom we bring to all our requests, praying for mercy and grace, in anticipation of the victory that comes through you, and this we pray in Jesus’ name.