Hannah: A Mother With Vision

HANNAH: A MOTHER WITH VISION

By

JERRY FALWELL

Hannah was a mother who properly prepared for her children, and you can learn life-changing lessons from her. This morning I am going to speak of five things that Hannah did:

1. Hannah prayed to have a child.

2. Hannah prayed for her child’s spirituality.

3. Hannah promised her child to God.

4. Hannah prepared her children to serve God.

5. Hannah praised God for her children.

In a day when Planned Parenthood makes the wrong plans for the unborn, let’s look at Hannah who makes the right plans for the unborn. Would to God that every future mother in the world followed the example of Hannah.

A. HANNAH PRAYED TO HAVE A CHILD.

“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD” (1 Samuel 1:10-20).

1. Children: the greatest gift.

In a day when many women are choosing to abort children, or not have them; children can give the greatest happiness in your life. I say the greatest happiness, but sometimes we have to laugh through our tears.

Angie, eight years old, wrote: “Mother, I am going to make dinner for you on Mother’s Day. It is going to be a surprise. P.S. I hope you like pizza and popcorn.”

Robert wrote, “I got a snake for you for Mother’s Day. I hope you like the snake better than the turtle I got you last year.”

Ellen wrote, “Dear Mother, I wish Mother’s Day wasn’t always on Sunday. It would be better if it were on Monday so we wouldn’t have to go to school.”

Little Diane wrote: “I hope you like the flowers I got you for Mother’s Day. I picked them myself when Mrs. Smith wasn’t looking.”

And here’s a note from Carolyn: “Dear Mother, Here are two aspirins. Have a happy Mother’s Day.”

2. Five ways to make mother special.

a. Tell Mom you love her, and hug her.

b. Show your love in a tangible way with flowers, a gift, and don’t forget the card.

c. Take her out on Mother’s Day, but also do it at least once a week every week of the year.

d. Treat mom special as though she were going to die tomorrow. We usually act as though our mothers were going to live forever. But it isn’t true. The way you treat your mother, is probably the way your children will treat you.

e. Pray for your mother every day. Your prayers can make her a better mom, and make you a better family member.

3. Hannah prayed and fasted for a child.

Her prayers were so intense that Eli, the old priest, thought she was drunk. When God answered her prayers, she called her son, “Samuel,” which means “to ask.”

B. HANNAH PRAYED FOR HER CHILDREN’S SPIRITUALITY.

1. Before birth, she dedicated her child to God.

“She vowed a vow, and said, “O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me . . . but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life” (1 Samuel 1:11).