Hannah - A Woman of Faith – Part Two
1 Samuel 1:1-2:10
What can we learn from Hannah and her keeping her promise? We should keep our vows. God has no pleasure in fools who do not keep their vows - Ecc 5:4-5 “When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.” As Christians, even our ‘yes’ and ‘no’ are as solemn vows - Mt 5:33-37 ‘"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.”; Ja 5:12 “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.” We should worship the Lord. Fulfillment of vows or promises should not be done begrudgingly. We should with gratitude of heart do the will of the Lord - Co 3:17 “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Finally, we note Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving (1 Sam 2:1-10), which is reminiscent of Mary’s ‘Magnificat’ (Lk 1:46-55). Both prayers reveal that women of faith express their praise. Hannah’s praise was with great joy in her heart - 1 Sam 2:1 “And Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.” With praise for the Lord for His help - 1 Sam 2:2-10 ‘"There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them he has set the world. "He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed."’
What can we learn form Hannah’s prayer and praise? We should rejoice in blessings received. For we are to rejoice always - 1 Th 5:16 “Rejoice always,”. How much more so when we have received blessings from the Lord! We should offer praise for blessings received as David offered thanks, and promised to praise God - Psa 18:49 “For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name.” Praising God is how Christians offer spiritual sacrifices to God - He 13:15 “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”
“Hannah - A Woman Of Faith” serves to remind us that all women of faith endure real problems, extend vibrant prayers, experience God’s provisions, excel at keeping promises and express their praise. Today, anyone can become a person of faith, even though you face many problems. If you are willing to come to God in prayerful obedience to the gospel of Christ; receive the gift of salvation provided through God’s Son; remain true to your commitment to His authority as Lord of your life and offer your life and the fruit of your lips in praise to Him. May everyone, whether male or female, be able to say together with Hannah:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord.” - 1 Sam 2:1
Note: The main points of this outline were adapted from a sermon by Brian Hill.
1 Samuel 1:1-2:10
What can we learn from Hannah and her keeping her promise? We should keep our vows. God has no pleasure in fools who do not keep their vows - Ecc 5:4-5 “When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.” As Christians, even our ‘yes’ and ‘no’ are as solemn vows - Mt 5:33-37 ‘"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.”; Ja 5:12 “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.” We should worship the Lord. Fulfillment of vows or promises should not be done begrudgingly. We should with gratitude of heart do the will of the Lord - Co 3:17 “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Finally, we note Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving (1 Sam 2:1-10), which is reminiscent of Mary’s ‘Magnificat’ (Lk 1:46-55). Both prayers reveal that women of faith express their praise. Hannah’s praise was with great joy in her heart - 1 Sam 2:1 “And Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.” With praise for the Lord for His help - 1 Sam 2:2-10 ‘"There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them he has set the world. "He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed."’
What can we learn form Hannah’s prayer and praise? We should rejoice in blessings received. For we are to rejoice always - 1 Th 5:16 “Rejoice always,”. How much more so when we have received blessings from the Lord! We should offer praise for blessings received as David offered thanks, and promised to praise God - Psa 18:49 “For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name.” Praising God is how Christians offer spiritual sacrifices to God - He 13:15 “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”
“Hannah - A Woman Of Faith” serves to remind us that all women of faith endure real problems, extend vibrant prayers, experience God’s provisions, excel at keeping promises and express their praise. Today, anyone can become a person of faith, even though you face many problems. If you are willing to come to God in prayerful obedience to the gospel of Christ; receive the gift of salvation provided through God’s Son; remain true to your commitment to His authority as Lord of your life and offer your life and the fruit of your lips in praise to Him. May everyone, whether male or female, be able to say together with Hannah:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord.” - 1 Sam 2:1
Note: The main points of this outline were adapted from a sermon by Brian Hill.
