In My Children’s Eyes
Text: I Samuel 1:1-20
Introduction:
1. Mother’s Day
a. Founded in 1870 by Julia Ward Howe
b. Nationally observed/recognized 1872
c. West Virginia was the first to officially recognize it in 1910
d. “The 2nd Sunday in May set aside as Mother’s Day” was signed into existence by President Woodrow Wilson on May 14th 1914
2. FACT: Just because you have children doesn’t make you a mother.
a. You may argue with that but there is a difference between being a “Child Bearer” and a Mother
b. Being a mother is a choice
3. EXPLAIN:
a. OT: ladies the wives of some of the prominent men we read about often gave the female servant to their husbands to bear children but the wife was still considered the mother/matriarch
b. Example: Rachael and Leah in Genesis
4. You may have children, BUT are you a Mother?
5. Proverbs 31 paints a portrait of a Godly Mother
6. NOTE you can not change what type of mother you had but you can make a difference in the type of mother your child will have!
7. Look at the story of Hannah
a. She was dedicated to her husband, her children and her LORD!
b. Lived in a time that was much like today
i. Immorality
ii. Homo, rape, child and spousal abuse
iii. Murder, kidnapping
iv. Idolatry, war and complete injustice.
v. This was a time in which a “Word from the Lord was rare”
8. Hannah had every reason to be a bad wife, mother, person
a. All the problems of the day
b. A bitter “Wife in Law” that mocked her
c. A time of Spiritual deadness
9. BUT Hannah stood when no one else did
a. There may be a 1,000’s women you can compare yourself to and look OK
b. But today, look at God’s word and His example as you ask yourself …..
10. Am I a mother, am I a wife, am I a lady that pleases GOD?
a. Look at all He has done for you
b. You can never hope to pay HIM back
c. But have you justly lived for HIM?
11. Look at 3 things in the life of Hannah
I. Hannah had a burden for Her family
A) “She was in bitterness of soul” 1:10 (KJV)
a. Mar Maw Raw (Hebrew word)
b. means angry, chafed, discontented
c. She was broken hearted the CEV says
B) She was not happy with the present condition of her family
a. She saw that things could be better in her home
b. And she was determined to do something about it
C) Are you burdened for your family
a. Are you concerned for the welfare of your children
b. How about your husband
c. Is your residence a house or a home?
D) WE need more women to be burdened for their families
a. Most women get real concerned when it is too late
b. When is the last time you had a “ache” in your heart for your child, husband, your home
c. Some of you today are feeling God speak to you on this first point
E) NOTE: revival came to the whole land in Samuels day as a result of a Mother who had a burden
II. Hannah faced her problems with prayer
A) “Hannah prayed silently to the Lord a long time” 1:12
a. This was not a quick “get it over with prayer”
b. Hannah was determined to take something from this prayer session
B) What do you expect to come from your prayer time?
a. An easy conscious? Just to say you did it
b. Or maybe ANSWERS
c. Maybe healthy children, loving home, peace, ETC.
C) What did Hannah’s prayer life reveal?
a. She was persistent in her prayer
i. She didn’t stop until she had an answer
ii. Too often we mention our need one time and expect God to run to our call
b. She was humble in her prayer
i. “she was weeping”
1. she wept sore KJV
2. bitter, heavy crying session
3. WHY?
ii. “I am your servant” vs 11
1. she knew that God did not owe her a thing
2. that as a servant of God any gift would be out of love and Grace
c. She was specific in her prayer
i. 1:11 “please let me have a son”
ii. She let God know exactly what she wanted
iii. Are you specific in your prayers?
iv. Example: you will not go to a restaurant and tell the wait staff, “I want something to eat” no you tell them exactly what you want”
v. Why can we not show the same/greater respect to GOD
vi. Be specific in your request
III. Hannah understood the value of a child
A) The world today has lost the value of a child
a. 1,202,000 abortions are preformed each month globally
b. 1975-2006 / 928,978,112 estimated abortions
c. Children are left with out mommies and daddies and the ones who are in the home do more damage to their forming minds
B) Hannah recognized the most important earthly aspect of her life, … Her Family
a. She knew how important it was to give her husband a child
b. NOTE: She actually wanted to please her husband
c. WOW: she did not feel “unequal” or “less than” like the world has made many feel today
d. She wanted to do something for her husband
C) Her family was more valuable that her wants
a. Illus: Holocaust. Solomon Rosenberg, his wife and their two sons were arrested and placed in a concentration camp. The rules were simple. As long as they did their work, they were permitted to live. When they became too weak to work, they would be exterminated.
Rosenberg watched as his own father and mother were marched off to their deaths and he knew that his youngest son David would be next because he had always been a frail child. Every evening Rosenberg came back into the barracks after his hours of hard labor and searched for the faces of his family. When he found them they would huddle together, embrace one another and thank God for another day of life.
One day he came back and didn’t see those familiar faces. He finally discovered his oldest son, Joshua, in a corner sobbing and praying. “Josh, tell me it’s not true.” Joshua turned to his dad and said, “It’s true. Today David was not strong enough to do his work and so they took him away.” Mr. Rosenberg then asked, “But where is your mother?” Joshua could barely speak and finally uttered, “When they came for David, he was afraid and cried and so mom took his hand and went with him.”
b. She gave her life with her child in mind
c. Many say “I would die for my family
d. LISTEN: God wants you to LIVE for them not die!
D) How much do you value your family?
a. Enough to watch how you talk in front of your child
b. Enough to show them how a Godly family should treat each other
c. Teach them love
d. Importance of prayer and bible reading
e. Or are these things to much to ask?
IV. Hannah remembered her commitment to the Lord
A) She committed to give her son to God
a. “I will give him unto the Lord” vs 11
b. She pledged to return him as Nazrite
c. Means – one separated to GOD
B) She fulfilled her promise to the Lord vs.28
a. “Now I am giving him to the Lord”
b. She followed through on her promise to God
C) How many promises have you broken to your children
a. Promise of play
b. Promises of punishment
c. Promises of personal
i. No lies, cursing, disrespecting
ii. Things that you choose
d. IF you do not keep your promises, why should your child believe anything you say: like “I love you” or “I will be there for you” or “I am proud of you”
D) We have all made commitment to the Lord
a. You say “no I have not”
b. If you are a Christian you have committed your life to GOD
c. That means your husband, child, job, home, etc.
E) Her commitment effect many others
a. At a time “When the Word of the Lord was rare”
b. This committed child brought the Children of God back to the Master
F) When was the last time you committed yourself to your family?
a. How about today
b. Are they worth it?
Conclusion:
Who are you in your family’s eyes?
