Hannah Faith that Found Gods Will and Victory 1 Samuel 1:1-18 Hannahs name means grace, and she is true to her name. She is a picture of how Gods grace is given to those who put their trust in the Lord and Gods grace was sufficient for her. There is much we might learn from her. HANNAH WAS MOCKED. Peninnah, her adversary, provoked her sore, to make her fret (v. 6). 1. Her childless condition brought upon her the sneer of the ungodly. It is a heart-searching and deeply humbling experience for any child of grace, as Hannah was, to have the finger of derision and ridicule pointed at them by one who loves not the Lord and yet seems to enjoy more of His favor than the other. 2. Hannah trusted the Lord, yet it seemed that God had forgotten her. How disheartening it is to think God is unconcerned about you. 3. Worse is to see how those that have not regard for the Lord prosper and seem to be doing so well. . .while you struggle in faith. 4. The Psalms of David show that although God says he was a man after my own heart at times he lost sight of Gods presence in his life. Psa. 13:1, How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? Psa. 74:10, O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever? Psa 94:3, LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? Psa. 94:4, How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? 2. Is God ungracious? No; but those fiery shafts of the enemy may be permitted by God to convict us deeply of the barrenness of our lives, that we may cast ourselves the more unreservedly upon the Divine all-sufficiency. 3. Look at 1 Sam. 1:5. It says that God had shut up her womb. God had not forgotten her. He was totally aware of her situation and God had a plan. Hannah was not aware of it, but God consider her to be special to Him. C. BECAUSE SHE HAD A VERY SENSITIVE NATURE. 1. If Hannah had a calloused heart she would have had fewer tears in her eyes (v. 7). There is great hope for any Christian worker who can weep over the fruitlessness of their lives. It is good that we should feel this bitterness of soul before the Lord (v. 10). Woe unto them that are at ease in Zion. 2. Year by year she remained faithful to the Lord. (v.7) She went to Gods house and in spite of fact it seems that God had abandoned her. . .she would not turn from God. 3. It looked as if there was no hope. . .but Hannah knew that God was her only source of delivery. There was none other to turn, no where else to go. Peter understood that fact. After Jesus began to preaching righteousness in preparation of the coming Kingdom of God the people began quit following him. Jesus turned to His disciples and ask them would they also leave? In John 6:68, the Bible records the only answer possible: Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. II. HANNAH WAS PRAYERFUL. A. HANNAH PRAYED. She prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore (v. 10). She did not return railing for railing; being reviled, she threatened not. We may thank God for the trials that send us into His presence, to plead, with full purpose of heart. The scourges of the enemy only serve to drive her into the place of blessing. 1. Although she did not understand she continued to pray and poured out her heart to the Lord. 2. True faith is an enduring and unwavering faith. Yes, there may be time to doubt, but the child of God will always go to the Lord. 3. Psa. 37:3-4 says, Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. In James 5:15 God says, The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James further said in 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. B. SHE VOWED. 0 Lord, if Thou wilt give unto Thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord. (v. 11). She purposes in her heart that if the Lord will, in mercy, roll away her reproach, she will consecrate His gift entirely to His service. This is a mighty argument with God. What will He withhold from those who seek not great things for themselves, but who desire to honor Him with His every gift. 1. What Hannah ask God for was a son. It was not a selfish request as some might imagine. Hannah want a son to honor her husband and to honor God. I believe in her heart she longed to see the Lord glorified by her testimony and faith. 3. In asking for a son and vowing to give him to the Lords service is proved the Lord was first in her life. She was asking God to use her to raise us a man to serve Him. Her joy would be in being able to be a channel of blessings Israel and to bring honor to the Lord. C. Hannah believed in God. So the woman went her way, and her countenance was no more sad (v. 18). 1. The Lord had spoken to her heart. She brought her burden to the Lord, and she went away without it. It is one thing to tell the Lord about our burdens; it is quite another thing to cast them on the Lord (I Peter 4. 7). The countenance is sure to be changed when the heart has found rest in the will of God. 2. James 1:2-4 says, My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. I think that it is worth noting that this Gods first instruction to man after being silent for 400 years since the last book of the Old Testament was written. James was the first New Testament Book written. 3. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7) 4. Hannahs faith in God enabled her to turn the whole matter over to God. She got up from her prayers confident that what ever happened it was in Gods hand and according to His will. I do not know that problem in your life that those around you are using to mock you, but I have good news for you today if you can keep your faith firm in God He will exalt Himself in your life soon. God bless
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 17:38:21 +0000
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