Samuel’s Mother
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Then Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn[a] is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.
2 “There is no one holy like the Lord;
there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
3 “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
4 “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
5 Those who were full hire them-selves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.6 “The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up.
7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.
8 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honour.
“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world.
9 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.
“It is not by strength that one prevails; 10 those who oppose the Lord will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.
“He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the Lord under Eli the priest.
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Prayer
Introduction
Hannah’s pain was a problem some couples have struggled with. Hannah wanted a baby and it didn’t seem to be happening. Today she would have had tests and found out why but in those days she just felt forsaken – barren. But this isn’t a sermon about not having kids, this is for anyone who has a problem and yet you are reluctant to bring it to God.
Let us enter this passage by looking at their Hannah’s Problem, them Hannah’s Prayer and finally Hannah’s Response.
Hannah’s Problem
Hannah’s Prayer
Hannah’s Response
Hannah’s Problem
Elkanah had two wives, Hannah & Peninnah – this was common in that time and in that culture. Hannah was mocked by Peninnah because she had children and Hannah did not. It all came to a head during the special festival - ‘Feast of Tithes’
One tenth of Elkanah’s produce would be given to God, it would be encashed and a sacrifice would be bought, then burnt on the alter in the tabernacle in Shiloh. An offering to God, a joyous family occasion. This was God’s portion but the family got to take part and feast with the Lord and in God’s presence. Hannah was not so joyful. Peninnah’s platter was a mountain of food to divide among her children. Hannah’s plate a was single portion – a painful reminder of her childlessness. This particular year Hannah left her food, she wasn’t hungry, with tears in her eyes, staring at food she felt broken and crushed.
It is a huge issue to Hannah but in reality, this is a small matter in all of Israel’s history. So why does this start one of the finest chapters in Israel’s history? Is it simply that the scriptures are teaching us that there is nothing is too trivial, no pain unnoticed, no persecution or injustice too small for God’s eternal care and compassion. (After all we are invited to consider sparrows & lilies in Matthew 6:28-30)… maybe that’s part of it, but there’s more.
This was a turning point in Israel's history, this opened the door to Israel’s greatness. Hanna’s prayer for herself, for a child brought a promise, brought a son, Samuel, who became a morally high principled holy man, he was given to the temple and focussed on worship. He became a powerful man who would anoint the first King of Israel; Saul who was succeeded by David and then Solomon.
Hannah’s Prayer
There’s no such thing as a selfish prayer - this woman’s prayer for herself turned out to be the turning point in Israel’s history. We may think that we initiate our prayers, and bring our needs to God but this story tells me that prayer is God’s initiative and we respond to God’s initiative.
When we have a pain or a problem and we bring it to God, this story tells me - God is ahead of us, God is at the scene of a bigger picture, we are in the picture but it’s a bigger picture. It seems the opposite to Hannah. She is desolate, in pain, she prays prays prays about her pain and God answered. Is that how it was? I don’t think so.
Let me ask you this, in the bigger picture who was it that allowed Hannah to be mocked by the other wife, who allowed her to be childless….to the point of being so desperate that she vowed that she would give her son back to God if he would only grant her that miracle child. Hannah didn’t know the consequences of the promise. That vow meant that (from age of three) Samuel was part of the temple worship (under Eli). God was in on this prayer long before Hannah wept and prayed it.
Illustration: Jonathan Aitken church warden, MP, pride and perjury - ‘I was strong on the externals, I went to church, supported Christian causes - God allowed him to be brought low so that he could from a repentant heart minister to others in prison and on release as a prison Chaplain.
One of the most common things I come across as a hospital chaplain when I am talking with patients is a reluctance to pray for oneself. I can be talking to someone with terminal cancer and ask what would you like me to pray for and they will say something like – ‘pray for my family,’ ‘pray for peace in Northern Ireland,’ ‘pray for our soldiers.’ Many people, even some in our home group are reluctant to pray for ourselves, our needs.
The story of Hannah is about someone who prays for herself, and we find God has been at work initiating the prayer.
This is a challenge to all of us that we should not be reluctant to pray for our personal needs.
How many times when a child runs to mum or dad with a cut or a bruise and mum kisses it better. S’times we need to be honest enough with our Lord to say ‘Lord I’m hurting – ‘kiss it better.’ We never grow up spiritually in the sense that we never outgrow being God’s children and as children do, many times we will need to run to our loving heavenly father.
Suffering for the Christian is never meaningless – s’times you may be going thro unbearable pain (physical or emotional) and it is so important to bring that pain & suffering to God & ask for it to be taken away. Suffering is not fun! God wants us to come to him, God is the gift we need when we are needy. When kids come to a parent with a pain or a problem, it’s the parent they want more than the pain they need to be rid of. The hug, the comfort, the kiss.
James 4:8 ‘draw near to God and he will draw near to you.’
God is not the author of illness and pain (look again at the Fall in Genesis 2) but God can always turn the problem into a spiritual victory and joy.
Hannah’s Response
In a sense prayer is the easy bit! What do we do when God has answered our prayers, do you write it in a book and think that was a ‘result’ - I hope not. Do we walk away, thankful and on with your life and God still on the periphery – I hope not. Hannah teaches us answered prayer is not the end but the beginning of our dedication. Hannah was eager to keep her promise and gave her child Samuel back to God. What does God ask of you as he answers your needs?
But this isn’t a story of God messing about with someones feelings. The pain that produced the prayer that produced the vow that produced Samuel, transformed Israel but it also transformed Hannah God’s bigger picture for Isreal was coupled with God’s loving purpose for Hannah.
Because of Hannah’s story we know God could have plans to do s’thing thro your pain far and beyond your own life and family circle. You may never get to u’st or see the bigger picture
God could be saying, can you still trust me?
Illustr Joni Erikson-Tada
During the hours Hannah poured her heart out to God a great change took place within her, she went back and ate her meal, new light in her eyes, peace in her heart and joy to come.
Notice Hannah’s song is not simply thanking God for her son – she is overjoyed that God’s strength, righteousness and defence of the poor and needy is assured. V2 There is no God but you, there is no rock like our God.’
It can go the other way, we can make these common mistakes:
1)We moan to people around us – there’s only so much moaning friends can take.
2)We can wallow in Self-pity, which leads to bitterness then rebellion which clouds your understanding of God and clouds your relationship with Him.
3)We don’t bring our grief to the Lord. We believe God is there, we believe God hears us, we believe he is able to help BUT we don’t draw near to him. Does almighty God really care about my pain and my problems – Hannah says YES. Notice Hannah’s defence when she is accused of being drunk – moving phrases – yearning, longing. Longing always gets a response from God. Bring your hurts to Jesus, time is no problem, he is eternal, pour our heart out to the Lord like Hannah – God is listening and he understands.
Hannah’s pain drove her to make a promise and peace and joy came back into her life. Sometimes peace does follow an outpouring of your hearts, peace knowing God has heard & that’s enough.
Hannah teaches us answered prayer is not the end but the beginning of our dedication. Hannah response was an overflow of a song expressing her joy, she kept her vow and dedicated Samuel to God. What does God ask of you as he answers your needs? Will you respond with a song of joy and praise? I hope so.
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