Quote from Forum Archives on June 2, 2002, 2:48 pm

Posted by: jnthrower <jnthrower@...>

RESPONDING TO PROBLEMS IN OUR LIVES

THE EXAMPLE OF HANNAH

1 SAMUEL 1

INTRODUCTION

Job 14:1-- Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

Proverbs 24:10 -- If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

2 Cor 4:7-- But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

2 Cor 4:17-18--For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

I. HANNAH'S PROBLEMS EXAMINED.

A. SHE SUFFERED FROM INTERNAL PROBLEMS --THE PROBLEMS OF DEPRESSION AND DISCOURAGEMENT.

1. She Had Feelings Of Inadequacy With Regard To Her Family Situation.

Hannah had been unable to conceive children. In Old Testament times, a childless woman was considered a failure. Her barrenness was a social embarrassment for her husband.

2. She Possibly Had Feelings Of Rejection With Regard To God.

However, part of God's plan for Hannah involved postponing her years of childbearing.

Part of God's plan for our lives may be the things we are prone to question. (God is in the inconveniences, the annoyances, problems)

B. SHE SUFFERED FROM EXTERNAL PROBLEMS THAT FUELED

THE INTERNAL PROBLEMS--

1. THE PROBLEM OF BEING OPPRESSED--FROM HER PEERS.

a. The Constant Provoking Caused By The Bigamist Relationship Of Her Husband Intensified Her Discouragement.

You are cursed of God, you are worthless! (Vs 6)

b. The Disgrace In The Eyes Of Her Contemporaries With Regard To

Her Infertility Intensified Her Discouragement.

Knowing that everyone knows your problem and has their own opinion about it causes distress.

2. THE PROBLEM OF BEING SUPPRESSED--FROM HER FAMILY.

a. Her Husband Seemed To Minimize Her Problems.

Having children already, he was content and disregarded the unfulfilled need in Hannah's life.

b. Her Husband Misunderstood Her Problems.

He saw her actions as a rejection of the love and generosity he

was bestowing on her.

Forget about your problem, you've got me! (Vs 8)

3. THE PROBLEM OF GIVING THE WRONG IMPRESSION-- FROM THE MAN OF GOD.

She gave the wrong impression with her actions to one that could have

helped her and did help her once she finally revealed her burden.

This woman is obviously drunk! (Vs 13, 14)

II. HANNAH'S PROBLEMS EXPRESSED.

A. IMPROPER EXPRESSIONS.

1. Fretting--vs 6-- "fret" means to be violently agitated.

2. Weeping--vs 7-- "wept" means to weep as in mourning.

3. Not Eating--vs 7-- very possibly a stress induced loss of appetite.

4. Bitterness of Soul--vs 10--severely depressed to the point of affecting her physical and mental well-being.

5. Anger At God--vs 10-- "wept sore" means to weep in vexation or anger.

B. PROPER EXPRESSIONS.

1. Praying Unto The Lord (Vs 10) (Psalm 113:9; 1 Peter 5:6-7)

Psalm 113:9-- "He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD."

1 Peter 5:6-7-- "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

2. Pouring Out Her Soul Before The Lord. (Vs 15) (Psalm 62:8)

Psalm 62:8--Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

She held nothing back from God, but put the whole matter before Him even to the extent of telling Him she was mad at Him.

3. Commitment Unto The Lord. (Vs 11) (Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 37:5)

Proverbs 3:5-6--Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Psalm 37:5-- "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."

a. She Committed Herself-- "She vowed a vow"

b. She Committed Her Request-- ". . . I will give him unto the Lord."

4. Shared Her Condition With The Man Of God. (Vs 16)

a. She Received Spiritual Guidance. (Vs 17)

b. She Received Spiritual Support.

III. HANNAH'S PROBLEMS EXPELLED.

Faith in the provision of God expelled the problems.

A. HER FAITH WAS EXPRESSED IN HER BODILY ACTIONS. (VS 18)

Get Own With Your Life.

B. HER FAITH WAS EXPRESSED IN HER SPIRITUAL ACTIONS.

She took her burdens to the Lord and left them there.

It is possible to put on a front while still carrying a burden, but Hannah didn't.

C. HER FAITH WAS EXPRESSED IN GOD'S ANSWERED PRAYER.

(Vs 19-20; 2:20-21)

1. "The Lord Remembered Her" --Samuel's Birth.

2. "The Lord Visited" her again--3 sons and 2 daughters.

CONCLUSION

Are you facing some problems in your life right now?

Are you depressed or discouraged over some circumstance of life.

Maybe you are feeling oppressed by someone. Maybe you are being misunderstood by those close to you. Maybe you have given someone the wrong impression.

How are you responding to those problems?

Will you respond in the wrong way?:

Fret, weep, lose your appetite, try to eat your problems away, letting the problem eat away at your physical and mental well-being, get mad at God.

Will you respond in the right way?:

Pouring out your soul unto the Lord.

Taking to the Lord in faith and leaving it there.

Trusting in the mighty unseen hand of God.

We can say we have left the matter with the Lord, but the proof is in how we express that in our lives.