Hannah: A Mother's Day Message

Title: “Hannah’s Faith – A Mother’s Day Message” Scripture: I Samuel 1

Type: Special Message Where: GNBC 5-11-25

Intro: Mother's Day was first celebrated in the U.S. in 1908, as a result of the efforts of Anna Jarvis to honor her mother and to promote peace. It wasn't until 1914 that it became an official national holiday, proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson. Today it is celebrated, although on different dates, in nearly 200 countries around the world. The Bible is replete with stories about mothers. 1. Eve, the first mother. 2. Sarah, the mother of Promise. 3. Hagar, the outcast single mother. 4. Leah, the blessed but unloved mother. 5. Rachel, the barren but beloved mother. 6. Rebekah, the scheming mother. 7. Naomi, the grieving mother and beloved mother in law. 8. Hannah, a praying and faithful mother. 9. Jacobed, a protective mother. 10. Abijah, a mother of godly influence. 11. Bathsheba, a preserving mother. 12. Widow of Zarephath, a single mother who faithfully provided. 13. Widow of Nain, grieving mother. 14. Elizabeth, elderly mother of the forerunner of Messiah. 15. Salome, the assertive mother of James and John. 16. Lois and Eunice, godly mothers who left a legacy of faith. 17. Proverbs 31 woman – Super mom! 18. Mary, the mother of Jesus, the most blessed of all mothers. I am sure I have missed several mothers of renown listed in the Bible’s pages, but these are enough to see how important the role of “motherhood” is in the Bible. Today, I would like to examine aspects of the life of Hannah, a faithful and praying woman who became the mother of Israel’s judge and spiritual leader, Samuel.

Prop: Let’s examine I Samuel 1 to realize 3 important lessons from the life of Hannah.

BG: 1. I Samuel written in that period before Kings reigned in Israel.

2. Samuel would be the last of the great prophets before the coronation of the kings.

3.

Prop: Today we’ll examine I Sam. 1 so as to Realize 3 Important Lessons from Hannah’s Life.

I. Hannah Recognized the Truth That Children Are a Gift from the Lord.

A. As We Examine the Life of Hannah we realize that Hannah had a big problem

1. Hannah lived in a culture that placed a priority on women having children.

a. Although Psalm 127 had not yet been written, nor had it’s author been born, Hannah would have agreed with the truth of v.3 of the Psalm, “Children are a heritage from the Lord.” The word “heritage” communicates the transmission of something from a predecessor, possibly the property to a descendant or heir. Your and my children are ultimately a heritage from the Lord.

b. Trying to raise godly kids can feel impossible. Everywhere we turn in our culture, on television, in movies, and now through sexual education in elementary schools, our kids are being told to embrace moral relativism and accept the abnormal and unbiblical as simply a matter of personal choice. The problem with moral relativism is it is immoral. Throughout history, every society that abandons the concept of a moral standard decays into depravity and eventual destruction. No honest student of history can deny this reality.

2. Yet, although a godly woman, Hannah had a problem.

a. Hannah was barren and the WOG clearly states that her womb had been closed by the Lord. (vv.1-5) Granted, some problems are of our own making. It wasn’t just an accident of nature that Hannah was not able to conceive children. Many don’t like to give God this much sovereignty. We don’t like to think that God gives us problems, so we say, “God allowed this problem, but He didn’t cause it.” If that helps you mentally to get God off the hook, I guess that’s okay, but at least here in this instance and several other similar accounts in the Bible, it clearly says that God was behind this problem in Hannah’s life. Sometimes God causes the perceived “problems” in our lives because He desires to use those challenges to make us more Christlike, to draw us closer to Himself, or to make us more fruitful for His kingdom’s sake.

b. Hannah was bitterly provoked by her fruitful rival. Why is it that some successful people can’t just enjoy their success, but they also have to point out your and my failures? Vv. 6-8. Hannah’s husband, Elkanah (v.1) was apparently a kind and religious man, however, he may not have been the wisest man. The Bible says that he was married to two women, Hannah and Peninnah. Two women and one man is usually a formula for heartache. Certainly was true for Hannah. Peninnah was fruitful and arrogant, mercilessly taunting and teasing her barren rival. I can just hear Peninnah cruelly tormenting Hannah on their annual trip to the festival: “Oh my, Elkanah, what a lovely large piece of meat for me and all my children! Oh dear, what nice little pieces you have too Hannah.”