Real Peole , Real Problems A Study Of 1 Samuel Part 1, Hannah Series

Real people- Real problems

1 Samuel 1:1-28, 2:1-2

Part 1 ----Hannah

In the world today it seems that there are two common thoughts on Christians and problems

Some want to claim that Christians no longer suffer from worldly problems

This is just not true- Jesus said I am hated and persecuted and so you will be

Others claim that all problems are due to sin or disobedience in a Christian’s life

Claiming that if you are not healthy, wealthy and happy

That you don’t have enough Faith

This makes it seem that if you are not getting what you want

It is because there is something wrong with you

This also is not true

The fact is

Every Christian faces real life problems.

Just because you accepted Jesus doesn't mean you will be immune to

Suffering

Pain,

And

Troubles in life.

Jesus says to paraphrase

“I came to give you life

And life more abundantly”

Life is all about hills and valleys

Highs and lows

So life more abundantly means the highs will be higher ---the mountains taller

But also that the lows will be lower – the valley’s deeper

I can tell you even though all people

Believers and non believers alike will face problems

Believers have an ace in the hole

You see-We have an instruction book on how to deal with problems and we have a counselor- the Holy Spirit in our hearts to guide us

And when we follow the instructions and listen to our Helper

Our reactions, responses and the outcome of the problems often change

Today is the first in a series from 1 Samuel titled “Real people – Real problems”

In today’s message we are going to study how Hannah overcame her real life problems.

And see how we in the process

Can apply the bible tour own worldly problems

And find real solutions

Please open your bibles to 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 1:1-2

There was a man named Elkanah who lived in Ramah in the region of Zuph[a] in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, of Ephraim. 2 Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not.

Today I want to talk about facing real life problems

And

Finding and using the faith it takes to overcome them.

1 Samuel introduces to us a woman named Hannah.

She is one of the great ladies of the bible.

The women will be studying her life in their study of 12 extraordinary women at the 9 o’clock Round pen bible study

And I can tell you

You will not find a book about biblical women that does not contain her story

First

What I need you to know is that she is a woman of faith

But also

She is a real woman

With a real life problems.

Her story gives us a chance to see how a person of faith can manage problems in life.

And an opportunity to learn how we can do the same

Let’s take a look at Hannah’s story.

In order to set the stage for this story

We need to back track just a bit

Please

Turn to the very last verse of the Book of Judges and allow me to give you some background about the times in which Hannah lived.

The nation of Israel is in a tight spot

Judges 21:25

25 In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”

God’s people

The nation of Israel

Were being torn apart by a lack of leadership

They were failing in their faith in areas varying from immorality to idolatry

Everyone is just doing what they think is best or what feels good

Or makes them happy

Let’s think about this for just a moment

Because this applies to our society today just as strongly as it did in the time of the Judges

Where there is a an absence of Godly leadership

No moral standards to draw the lines of right and wrong

The end result is intolerance to any morality.

Evil will rise up

This was a real problem then

It is a real problem now

And every time we read those words in scripture – everyone did as they pleased

A wreck soon follows

In the book of Judges

Mostly because of the sin of idolatry God would remove his blessings from his children by raising up their enemies;

As we have studied -The nation of Israel was often oppressed by the surrounding nations.

Many times they were slaves to other nations

And then

The people would cry out to God during their problem

God would hear their cries

He would remember His covenant with them and have mercy.