HANNAH’S HANDLING OF LIFE’S DIFFICULTIES

1 SAMUEL 1                                                      

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HANNAH’S DIFFICULTIES

1. She was Provoked by Her Adversary [v. 1-7, 1 Peter 5:8]

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour

2. She was Misunderstood by Her Husband [v. 8; Luke 2:50, 9:45, 18:34]

- And they (Mary & Joseph) understood not the saying which he (Jesus) spake unto them.

- But they (disciples) understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him (Jesus) of that saying.

- And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

3. She was Maligned by Her Priest [v. 12-15, 1 Peter 3:16]

Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

 

II. HANNAH’S DEVOTION

1. She was Faithful in Worship [v. 7, 19, Heb. 10:23-25]

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

2. She was Faithful in Prayer [v. 7, 9-18, Lk. 18:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:17]

-AND he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

- Pray without ceasing.

Note- “ceasing” is mentioned 7 times in the KJV – at least 6 of those times are in reference to prayer.

3. She was Faithful in Her Vows [v. 20-28, Dt. 23:21-23, Eccl. 5:4-5, Ps. 116:14]

-When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

- When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

- I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.

 

III. HANNAH’S DELIVERANCE

1. She Exhibited a Heart of Peace [v. 16-19a, Philippians 4:6-7]

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

2. She Exhibited a Heart of Praise [v. 19b-20, 2:1-2ff, Psalm 57:7]

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.]

3. She Exhibited a Heart of Purpsoe [v. 21-28, 2:18-21, Dan. 1:8, Acts 11:23]

- But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself

-Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.