The Horn of Stability
Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 1,2
Introduction: Instability in Financial Areas may be one example of how our lives are today. (Hurricanes, stocks, forclosures.)
Propositional Statement: The Lord Is the Cause of Stability in People’s Lives
I. Instability is caused by sin. (2:12-36) -In these verses, we find a contrast between the despicable acts of Eli’s sons and the careful fulfillment of worthy worship to God of Samuel. The people of Israel are much like any society. On one hand, you have those who will take advantage of their situations and the people around them; but on the other are people who live in such a way that upholds goodness, and righteousness.
A. Eli’s Sons Created Instability. They are spoken of as ‘sons of Belial;’ worthless men. They took what they could, and they did it with contempt. Verse 17 says, “the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for the men despised the offering of the Lord.” You see, when it comes to sin; it is not so much your own personal situation that you need to think about! Here, God is the one who is offended! Verses 28-29 say …. “Read…” God had given them freedom, an opportunity to worship Him in worthiness; and God questions…. HEARTFELT… “Why despise what I have asked you to do?”
ILLUS> The captain of the ship looked into the dark night and saw faint lights in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message" "Alter your course 10 degrees south." Promptly a return message was received: "Alter your course 10 degrees north."
The captain was angered; his command had been ignored. So he sent a second message: "Alter your course 10 degrees south--I am the captain!" Soon another message was received: "Alter your course 10 degrees north--I am seaman third class Jones." Immediately the captain sent a third message, knowing the fear it would evoke: "Alter your course 10 degrees south--I am a battleship." Then the reply came "Alter your course 10 degrees north--I am a lighthouse."
In the midst of our dark and foggy times, all sorts of voices are shouting orders into the night, telling us what to do, how to adjust our lives. Out of the darkness, one voice signals something quite opposite to the rest--something almost absurd. But the voice happens to be the Light of the World, and we ignore it at our our peril. Paul Aiello, Jr.
B. Though we have such great sin and offense against God in Eli’s sons; we have a love of God and obedience from Samuel. In fact, verse 26 gives us one of the clues that Samuel typifies the coming Messiah in strength, holiness, and humility. It says, “Now the boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with the Lord and with men.” Does this remind us of anyone? pause… Luke 2:40 describes Jesus in a similar way. “The child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” From the time that Samuel was born, he was dedicated to God….first through the strength of his mother Hannah, and then through his own careful detail in worshipping God the way he described proper worship should be. Whereas Eli’s sons despised the offering; Samuel followed God’s instructions to the letter….or in a biblical expression, down to the jot and tittle.
Transition: Not only was stability, or the lack of it a topic here; but so was the seeking of God. In chapter 1, Hannah is an example of one who was anquished over instability in her life; prayed earnestly for a son, which was her heart’s desire; and praised God when He answered her prayer.
II. Instability is Calmed in Seeking Out God in Prayer (1:10-16) John Bunyan said, “He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day.” Hannah prayed deeply that God would remember her; that God would grant a specific request; and she prayed in a passionate way.
A. v. 11- “…. remember me, and not forget your maidservant…” Hannah was humble in prayer and expressed an attitude of humility. My first inclination here, was to think about ‘who is man?’ in the sight of God. The Bible affirms that despite the repeated and even sometimes stubborn refusal of man to obey God….even when it is in their own best interest…that God continues in loving-kindness towards man. A love that is merciful, gracious, and continual.
B. v. 11, further shows us that Hannah prayed specifically for what she wanted, in this case…a son. This made me think of ‘the Son,’ one who would be dedicated and consecrated to the Lord. Samuel would be one that would ‘stay forever’ and ‘that he may appear before the Lord.’ (ref. v.32).
C. v. 12- Not only did she pray specifically; but she prayed passionately! In the NASB, it says she “continued praying….” and that “she was speaking her heart” How reminiscent of the fact that the “Spirit also helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (ref. Ro. 8:27). Raise your hand if you feel that your prayers express everything you want them to and that you have the most solid prayer life you can have? (Should be no hands…)
ILLUS> C.S. Lewis said, “The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.”
Transition: Well, not only is there stability in prayer; but stability is only found in One Person.
III. Stability is found in Jesus, the Horn of Stability Chapter 2 begins to speak of the strength of stability. Let’s read and make a few notations about this.
A. Although there are several references to the stability of Jesus here in chapter 2; I want to specifically mention the horn. The ‘horn’ is a symbol of strength and leadership.
1. In verse 1, the horn is exalted. Hannah re-enforces the fact that the same strength that answered her prayer for a son is the same strength that would ‘speak boldly against her enemies.’ As New Testament saints, we now recognize that this strength was not only typified in Samuel; but is realized in the Anointed One, whose name is to be glorified…Jesus!
2. In verse 10, not only was the horn exalted; but He was anointed. Hannah says in v. 2; “there is no one holy like the Lord, Indeed, there is no one besides you.”
B. We know that the ‘horn’ is the ultimate king and Messiah; who would rule the nations of the earth. In fact, whenever the word ‘horn’ is used in my Bible, the literal rendering in many cases is that of the word ‘strength.’ In v.31; it says, “Behold, the days are coming when I will break your strength and the strength of your father’s house….” You see, in these passages, the strength of God is pitted against the instability and sin of the current priesthood. Not only had Eli’s sons despised worship of God; but Eli himself allowed it to go on because he chose to continue loving his son’s and serving them more than he loved and served God. Hannah’s strength is exalted in the Lord. “The Lord will judge the ends of the earth” (v.10); and strength is given to his king, the strength of His anointed.
ILLUS> While very ill, John Knox, the founder of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, called to his wife and said, "Read me that Scripture where I first cast my anchor." After he listened to the beautiful prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17, he seemed to forget his weakness. He began to pray, interceding earnestly for his fellowmen. He prayed for the ungodly who had thus far rejected the gospel. He pleaded in behalf of people who had been recently converted. And he requested protection for the Lord’s servants, many of whom were facing persecution. As Knox prayed, his spirit went Home to be with the Lord. The man of whom Queen Mary had said, "I fear his prayers more than I do the armies of my enemies," ministered through prayer until the moment of his death. Our Daily Bread. April 11
Transition: Let’s Go back to Chapter 2. Read verses 3-9. (explain).
• Conclusion: You see, “The Lord Is the Cause of Stability in People’s Lives.” “For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and He set the world on them.”
