The Devil's Swill

# 12 – Today's Du-votional comes from 1Sa 1:15 And Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. 16 "Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now." First of all, please note the respect that Hannah displays for Eli's office. A lesson of respect for ALL of the authorities God has placed over us. We would do well to teach this lesson to our children....and to model it ourselves. Secondly let's talk again about the seriousness of the sin of drunkenness. In the King James version of this passage Hannah says, “Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial.” Belial is another word for Satan. This is who the sin of drunkenness is associated with! Think about this before you head out for that big celebration or that night out on the town, or anytime you cross that line between having a glass of wine and drinking to the point of intoxication. If alcohol is to be consumed, it must be with careful moderation. In so doing your reputation will reflect your true identity as a handmaid of the Lord, rather than a handmaid of Belial. Do not be deceived or lulled into a false sense of security concerning strong drink: Pr 20:1 Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. Father, let us learn with Hannah. She knew who is behind excessive drinking, let us respect that and seek to live filled with Your Holy Spirit, rather than the swill of the evil one.