Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-18
Theme: Power of Prayer: Hannah and the Lord of Hosts!
Hannah was desperate. Her desperation led to prayer. Prayer lead to surrender and sacrifice. Surrender and Sacrifice lead to Celebration!
INTRO:
Grace and peace from God our Father and from His Son Jesus Christ who came to take away the sins of the world!
In 1996 the Apple Company was barely surviving. It's shares were hovering around 80 - 90 cents a share. The company was unfocused and floundering. Over 350 different projects were being worked on but nothing fantastic was happening. There was a lot of activity going on but little progress or success was occurring. It looked like in a matter of months or a few years the Apple brand and company would merely disappear.
But in 1997 former CEO Steve Jobs came back to Apple. In quick fashion he set into motion a global revolution. Under his direction the Apple brand not only came back but it found new life, new focus and started inventing such things as the iMac, the iPod, iTunes and of course the iPhone. Today, that same 80 cent stock has risen to be worth over 160 dollars. That means if you had bought a $ 1,000 dollars worth of Apple stock back in 1996 that same stock would be worth over $ 180,000 dollars today. Way to go Steve Jobs.
In 2008 the Sunoco Oil Company was spinning out of control. Like Apple it had lost its way and was leaking profits and revenue. Ms. Lynn L. Elsenhans was appointed CEO and in her four year tenure she led Sunoco out of financial trouble and once again towards the right direction. Under her leadership the Sunoco Oil Company not only enjoyed a 52% increase in profits but has once again become a leader in their field.
From 1996 to 2006 the University of Alabama Football Program had an overall record of 55 wins and 55 losses. Now, for most teams that would be respectful but not for Alabama fans. What was even worse was that they had a 4 and 3 win/loss record in bowl games and during that time they once won the SEC Championship. From all accounts it looked the best days of the University of Alabama's football program were in the past. Then in 2007 Nick Saban decided to take the job of being their head football coach. Since then the team has won over 120 games and has also won 4 national championships. Now, that is quite a turnaround.
Steve Jobs, Lynn Elsenhans and Nick Saban all have something in common. Each of them took over a company or a team that was either going nowhere or was headed towards disaster. But each of them were able to be a catalyst that lead not only to a resurgence but to a time of great success as well. Where would Apple be today if Steve Jobs had not returned and shared his genius with them? Where would Sunoco be without the leadership of Lynn Elsenhans? And where would Alabama football be without Coach Saban's leadership?
Each of those stories are inspirational. Each one of them has a lot to tell us about revival, renewal and the possibility of new opportunities. Each one of their stories is able to tell us a great deal about the power of one person being able to turn around a whole culture, a whole mindset and even a whole company. But what about a lady that was not only the catalyst for the turnaround of an institution but was the catalyst for the turnaround of an entire nation?
This morning, we find her story in the 1st Chapter of the book of 1 Samuel. It is the story of a woman by the name of Hannah. By all accounts we should have never heard about Hannah. After all she was merely the wife of a certain man of Ra-math-aim - zo phim (Hebrew: ??????????????). This was a little village that was located about 4 or 5 miles north-west of what one day would be called the city of Jerusalem and about 8 - 10 miles from Shiloh where the Tabernacle of God was located. Back then Ramathaim-zophim (Hebrew: ??????????????) was just a little village that very few people even knew about.
Hannah was married to a Levite named Elkanah who had been assigned to the tribe of Ephraim. You may remember that the tribe of Ephraim comes from the house of Joseph and at one time was one of the major tribes of Israel. According to 1 Chronicles chapter six, Elkanah was a Levite from the line of the Ko hath ites. The Kohathites were the Levites that were in charge of taking care of the vessels and the sacred objects within the sanctuary which would have included the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Shewbread and the Menorah.
Elkanah's job would therefore have been important but not of such importance that anyone would have written down his name or his story for prosperity. After all, he lived to far away to be a one of the Ko hath ites that would have been instructed with daily care of the Tabernacle. More than likely he went before each of the festivals to help out the other Levites would were stationed there permanently. The only reason we know about Elkanah and even Hannah for that matter is that they had a son by the name of Samuel. It's his life and his story that causes us to know about Elkanah and Hannah.
Samuel became one of the key figures in the history of the people of Israel. He held quite a number of high offices during his lifetime. He started off as one of the Judges or Leaders of the People of Israel. He became the first of Israel's Major Prophets and he became Israel's Kingmaker. It was Samuel who God used to anoint Saul to be the first King of Israel and it is Samuel who God's used later to anoint the young shepherd boy David to be the next King of Israel. Samuel was also instrumental in leading his people into a period of spiritual revival. It was out of that revival that Israel was able to be liberated from their enslavement to the Philistines and were able to enjoy an extended period of peace and prosperity. At that point in Israel's history there was no one more important, more loved and more needed that Samuel. It was because of all the wonderful things that he did that we know a little bit about Elkanah and Hannah.
But it is because of Hannah that we even know about Samuel. For without her there would have been no little boy named Samuel who would then grow up to be a Judge, Prophet and Kingmaker. So, we know about Hannah because of who Samuel became but without Hannah we would have had no story about Samuel.
So, what is so important about Hannah? What did she do and what does she have to say to us this morning?
For the Jewish people Hannah is a pivotal person when it comes to the area of prayer. On Rosh HaShanah (Jewish New Year) her story is read as one of the most important passages of the day. Hannah's prayer is considered to the template for all Jewish prayers. With that in mind, let's take a few moments this morning and look at her story and in particular her prayer.
I. Hannah's story begins in a Spirit of Desperation
Hannah's name means "favor" or "grace" but I am sure that she would tell you that she was experiencing neither one in her life. I am sure she would tell you that she had not be given much grace nor was she experiencing much favor. I am sure she would say that her true name was closer to Lo ru ha mah ( means "no mercy" ) or Mara (means "bitter"). At least that is how her life is described in the opening part of our story.
While she was married to a wonderful man their marriage has been made complicated by the addition of another woman. In those days it was vital for a Levite priest to be able to father children so that there would be a future generation of Levites. This would have been especially important for those whose responsibility surrounded taking care of sacred objects of the Tabernacle.
When Elkanah married Hannah it was with the understanding that she would be his only wife. Even though it was permissible for a man to have two wives in practice that was very rare. Having one wife was the usual practice for a Levite priest. However, when a woman after a number of years had proved to be unable to bear a child a Levite would have been instructed to marry a second wife for the purpose of making sure that the Levitical priesthood would continue.
Sometimes this meant that the first wife was either divorced or put into exile or given second class status. In Hannah's case none of this happened. She was still considered to be the main wife of Elkanah. From the surface it appears that the only reason for Peninnah was so that the Levitical line could be extended. While we may not appreciate all of this we do have to understand that this was just the way it was back at that time.
While Elkanah still loved and respected Hannah and held her to high esteem the same could not be said about Peninnah. No doubt, she wanted Elkanah to either divorce Hannah due to her condition or at least exile her to second class status. After all her presence and her ability to bear children proved that the problem resided in Hannah and not in Elkanah.
This in and of itself cause Hannah great grief. The Bible is clear in telling us that she was not barren. That is to say that she could not physically have a child. Instead the Bible tells us that the LORD had closed her womb - that is to say the LORD had made her unable at that time to have a child. Physically there was nothing wrong with Hannah. The reason she was not having children was seen as a spiritual condition. The LORD had not chosen her to be a vessel to bear a child. The LORD had not chosen her to extend the line of Elkanah and the priesthood.
Year after year passed and year after year Hannah had to watch as Peninnah had one more child after another.
Psalm 127: 4 - 5a shares this:
"Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!"
Peninnah was the means by which Elkanah was being blessed. She had given him many sons and daughters. By all accounts Hannah was seen by others and even by herself as a woman who had been cursed by God. It was not her body that was failing her but it was the LORD who was not enabling her to bear children. In her desperation Hannah does something remarkable that will change not only her but the nation of Israel.
II. Hannah Turns to Prayer
At some point Hannah simply had enough. In verse 10 the Bible tells us that during one of the festivals of Rosh HaShanah while the family was eating and drinking, Hannah stood up, left the table and went to the Tabernacle to pray.
You can't blame her for leaving. Year after year she had sat at that table all by herself with no children to comfort her. Nearby sat Peninnah sat with all her brood. Each year Hannah had been able to eat the choicest of meats but each year she also had to watch Peninnah smile as she would wait on her children while all Hannah had was an choice piece of meat. I am sure it was during these times that Peninnah would make some remark about how God had blessed Elkanah with so many beautiful children and how that one day it would be her sons would serve as God's Holy Priests. It would be her sons that would be taking care of the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Shewbread and the Menorah. It would be her sons that God had used to bring Elkanah great blessings and honor.
I am also sure that Hannah had already used all the home remedies and sound advice that had been given to her by all the other woman around her to make sure she could bear a child. I am also sure that she had reached out to any of the ancient healers and herbalists that were around as well to see if her condition could be changed.
But now, she goes to the Tabernacle and the Bible says "in her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly." (v. 10).
Hannah knows that it is God who has caused her to be unable to have a child. Physically there is nothing wrong with her or with her husband. So, if it is God's fault then she will go to the LORD directly. She will go to where she believes the LORD's Presence dwells and she will bear her soul to the LORD.
In verse 11 we find a little jewel that is very important. For the very first time at least in recorded scripture a new name of God is used. Throughout this passage the name that God is referred to is Yahweh - the God of the Covenant, the God of Love, Mercy and Grace. Hannah adds a second aspect to that name - she cries out to the God of Yahweh and refers to God not only as Yahweh but the God of Hosts - the God who leads a Mighty Army - the God of Battle and Victory.
In some respects, Hannah is both blessing the LORD for being a God of Victory while at the same time going into battle with the LORD. She is calling on the name of the God of Hosts - the one who has all number of mighty angels and mighty men at his disposal. The God whom no one can stand before and be victorious. She is calling on God to fight her battle of not being able to have a child. She is calling on the Yahweh the God of Hosts to fight her battle and bring her victory over Peninnah, her own body and even God Himself.
She goes to the LORD and says in effect - "Lord, I want a child. In fact, Lord I want a son. In fact, Lord I want to be a vessel of fruitfulness. I want to be a person who will be able to impact the next generation. I want to fulfill my destiny. God, you made me to be a woman. You gave me the ability to bear a child. Now, Lord - I want that child."
You see the key here is not to focus on a woman having a child. There is more here in the story. Hannah wanted to bear fruit. She wanted to impact lives. She wanted the LORD to use her as a vessel to bear forth a Levitical priest. She wanted to do her part in making sure that the Tabernacle and the Kingdom of God would go on for generations to come. She wanted God to do in and through her a work that would have impact for years. So, out of desperation she prays. And she prays a prayer of full surrender and sacrifice.
III. Hannah Surrenders and Sacrifices Everything
Her Desperation led her to Prayer and Her Prayer led her to a declaration and commitment to Surrender and Sacrifice.
Again, remember the key is not Hannah having a child so she could look at Peninnah and tell her to get off her back. Having a child was not some revenge act. It is also not some way to get back her husband the way Jacob's wife Rachel tried. No, Elkanah deeply loves Hannah. She is the love of his life.
The key is that Hannah wanted for the LORD to use her body to bring about a miracle for the people of Israel. She wanted God to do something special in and through her. She wanted it so badly that she literally gave all of herself to the LORD including the baby she wanted so desperately to bring into the world.
This is no small point. Any woman who has given birth to a child knows full well the sacrifice that is required. There are things that happen during and after having a child that changes a woman heart, mind and soul forever.
+Body Image changes +The Brain Itself Changes
+Hormonal changes +Even the way you walk changes
+Your Diet Changes +All of Your Priorities Change
No woman goes through having a child without experiencing some fundamental life changes. Nothing is ever the same. It changes a woman from the inside out forever.
This is what Hannah was signing up for. This is what she wanted and more. For not only was she willing to go through all the life changes she was also willing to surrender her child to the LORD.
Her willingness to sacrifice and surrender are almost unbelievable.
God - take my body - reshape it. Take my walk and reshape it. Take my basic cell structures and reshape them. Take my brain, the way I think, my priorities in life and reshape them. Do all you want to do so that I may have a child for you and in the end I will give that child to you to do your work.
God - a closed womb is not a barren womb. God - I trust you. God - you can have all of me. God - I will be your co-partner in bringing into the world a child that can lead your people towards a Revival. A child that you can use to bring about a time of peace and prosperity.
Hannah knew what was going on. She knew that Eli had no clue spiritually what was going on. She knew that his sons were corrupt. I am sure Elkanah had complained about the spiritual condition of the Tabernacle more than once. But none of that mattered. If the LORD wanted to use her and her child to set about a spiritual transformation then so be it. Someone had to step up and be a vessel of change, someone had to step up and become the catalyst for a great revival. Why not her? Why not her child? She had the ability. Her body was healthy. The same LORD who closed her womb could also open her womb. She could bear a child. She could be the means by which God would change the world.
Hannah got desperate. She went to the LORD in Prayer. She surrendered everything.
IV. Hannah rejoices and celebrates before and after the birth
In verses 17ff God uses Eli to share the Good News of Answered Prayer. Hannah would be allowed to bear a son and that son would be received by the LORD. In 1 Samuel 2:21 the LORD allows Hannah to have four more children - two sons and two daughters. Not only did the LORD bless her the LORD blessed her abundantly.
It is interesting to note what Hannah does immediately after talking to Eli. She doesn't doubt his word or doubt her prayer. Instead, she goes back to the table that she left sits down and eats her meal. The only difference was her desperation and sadness were gone.
What had happened? There was no baby in her arms when she got back. There was only the fact that she had been in the presence of the LORD. She had touched God and now God had promised her through Eli that her answer was on the way. Hannah's faith did the rest. She believed and began to already celebrate God's victory in her life. Now, that's faith - faith that comes when you are desperate enough to do anything to touch God.
In chapter two we have the famous prayer of Hannah as she celebrates and rejoices in the LORD. Her song like the songs later on of Elizabeth's and Mary's speak of God's great power and majesty. All three speak of how God will reverse the current state of affairs. Things will be transformed from being based on man's values to being based on God's values.
Hannah's child would and did greatly affect the world. Hannah's desperation was turned to pray which in turn lead to a time of complete surrender and sacrifice that resulted into a state of celebration. The LORD used her son Samuel to bring His People back. For over 200 years the People of Israel had been living in chaos and disintegrating. With each succeeding Judge the people were falling farther and farther away from the LORD. The whole Promise Land vision and plan of God had almost disappeared.
No longer were the tribes closely tied together. Each one had gone off on its own and at times they were at war with one another. Corrupt ruler after ruler had arisen and once again in many parts the people found themselves enslaved once again. Pagan worship was rampant. The Tabernacle was no longer at the center of life. To many it was only a religious relic of the past or at best a piece of supernatural magical power. Immorality had overtaken many of the practices where prayer was suppose to rule.
In the midst of all of this was Hannah. A woman desperate, broken and burdened. But not a woman defeated. She went to prayer. She surrender and sacrificed. And she celebrated. She celebrated the birth of a promise child - one who would lead his people. One who God would use to transform the nation of Israel. One who would change the destiny of his people forever. Samuel was said to have the combined power of both Aaron and Moses. He was considered to be the key factor that led to God's People being able to retake the Promise Land, build God's Temple and enjoy hundreds of years of peace and prosperity.
We today live at a difficult time in our history as a nation. On paper it says that 75% or over 240 million people in our nation personally claim that Jesus Christ is their Savior and LORD. However, less than 75 million (31%) of that number go to church at least once a month. And less than 41 million (17%) are engaged in some type of purposeful Bible study on a regular basis.
During our lifetime the average American will spend 1 year of their life putting on their clothes. They will spend another 2 years talking on the phone. They will spend over 7 years of their lives looking at a computer screen and over 9 years watching TV. However, they will only spend right around 7 months of their lives dedicated to a season of prayer and less than 10 months of their lives in corporate worship. That means as of right now, the average person of faith will spend more time talking on their phones that they will spend combined in prayer and worship.
Now, that is not to condemn us or to make us feel guilty. That is just what the average American will be doing and is doing right now when it comes to following the LORD. The average church today spends less than 10 minutes in corporate prayer with almost half of that time spent in sharing prayer requests. Intense and dedicate corporate prayer is happening less and less in church across our country.
All of this is having an adverse effect on the church and on our nation. More than 10 churches a week are being closed all across our land. Each month approx. 1,000 people who believe that they were called to the ministry are leaving the ministry. Well over half of the people 14 - 30 years of age no longer consider the church to be an important part of their life. In fact, many of the believe that the modern day church is a detriment to our society. A growing majority of people no longer can remember a time when the presence of the LORD was felt in their lives, their homes or even in their churches. Many believe that church is just a place you go to on Sunday morning for an hour or so. They don't know why and they don't expect anything to happen but they know that you should go or at least that is what they have been told.
So, what is the answer? I believe the story of Hannah provides for us some key truths and principles:
+We have to get desperate - as long as we are lackadaisical or lukewarm about things in our lives that burden us, cause us to lose sleep, that cause us pain or that deeply trouble our souls then we will do nothing or we will do nothing but worry, complain and grumble.
We have to allow the Holy Spirit to stir us up. Hannah could have just said - "Forget it. I don't need to have any children. I will just be a mother to Peninnah's children. I will live through her children. I will just keep my good figure and consider it my good fortune. I will dedicate my time to doing other things."
But she didn't. She wanted children. Will wanted to bear new life. Not merely for sake of being able to brag to others about being able to bear a child but for the sake of God's Kingdom. She wanted to do her part to provide Levitical leaders for the future. She saw how corrupt and half-asleep Eli and his sons were at the Tabernacle festive after festival, year after year. She saw how the people around her were more and more doing what was right in their own eyes instead of what was right in the LORD.
She wanted to make a difference. So, she wanted to have a boy. She wanted him to be raised near the Ark of the Covenant. She wanted him near the presence of the Lord God Almighty. She wanted God to use him to bring about a revolution.
+Today, I believe we have to go to prayer - real prayer - pray that looks and sounds like Hannah's prayer. Prayer that comes from the depth of our souls. Prayer that moves us to be overwhelmed. Prayer that causes us to cry out to God with open hearts. Prayer that causes us to pour out our souls to the LORD. One of the words used to describe Hannah's prayer is the word "qasheh - ka sheh) which can mean fierce, intense, stubborn and rigorous. Hannah was ready to go to battle with the LORD. She was ready to be stubborn and intense in the presence of the LORD.
Authentic prayer changes things. Authentic and desperate prayer leads us to pour out our souls before the LORD. Authentic, desperate and surrendered prayer causes us to be both humble and intense. It is this type of prayer that causes us to do all we can to get a hold of God and not let go. True prayer causes us to be willing to wrestle with the LORD. True prayer is hard work.
+We must be willing and ready to totally surrender all to the LORD and sacrifice for His Kingdom. Hannah's body was able to bear children. She was not barren. Her womb had been closed. She came to the LORD and surrendered everything and was willing to sacrifice everything. She was going for broke. All her chips were on the table and now it was up to the LORD. If nothing happened it would not because she had not done her best or promised her best. She was willing to have her whole life turned upside down. She was willing to bear stretch marks, live with larger feet, lose sleep for years, have her hormones all turned inside out and give her life for a new life. And when it was all over she was willing to take this precious gift and give it to the LORD for His use.
She was willing to do anything to bear fruit for the LORD. She was willing to do anything to bring new life into the Kingdom. She was willing to do anything for God to bring about a new age for His People. If God needed someone to bear that child - Hannah was ready to step up to the plate.
+Finally, Hannah celebrates and rejoices. She poured out her heart to God, believed in what God said and then set about celebrating the upcoming birth of her son. Then she celebrated that birth and did all she could to take care of Samuel and then celebrated the fact that the LORD received her gift. Over the years no doubt she made frequent trips to Shiloh to see him.
And God not only blessed her as she watched Samuel grow but enabled her to bear other children as well. Her one talent turned into five talents. Who knows how many future priests looked back at Hannah as their grandmother, great-grandmother and so on. By giving herself to the LORD not only was Samuel born but a new generation of priests were born as well.
This morning I believe Hannah provides for us some insights to how we can experience a Revival in our churches and what we should do when we feel overwhelmed or over burdened. I believe she provides for us a wonderful template when it comes to prayer:
+We must allow our desperation to get us to be serious - we must not merely be passive and believe all is lost - whether it is for our nation, for God's Church or for anything else.
+We must go to prayer with all the passion we possess. We must boldly and humbly come before the face of our LORD
+We must be a mode of total surrender and sacrifice. We must surrender our hearts, our minds and our souls. We must be willing to sacrifice everything for the LORD and His Kingdom.
+We must be ready to rejoice and be ready to receive God's anointing and blessing. We must be ready to receive the answers to our prayers - new life, new church life, new healings, new anointings, new opportunities, new ministries and new everything.
Today, how desperate are we?
Will we go to prayer - humbly, boldly and ready to pray through?
Are we in surrender mode - sacrificial mode?
Are we ready to rejoice and be a part of God's New Vision and Work for years to come?
I believe that the LORD wants to give us our deepest and purest desires this morning. I believe that God wants to bring new life into our lives, our homes, our churches and our nation. But it will take us getting desperate - being fed up with the status quo - it will take us being so desperate that we are willing to pray even if someone thinks we are a drunk. It will take us being surrendered and sacrificial. But in the end we will rejoice.
This is the message of the LORD today for His People!
Prayer/Open Altar/Music
