Hannah continues

Women of Courage-  April 20, 2013

Hannah-

Nancy had made a statement, how did she get her knowledge of the Lord?  How did she know how to pray? Did the Lord reveal that to her?

Ferguson Sinclair “Prayer is an expression of what we know of God and ourselves”

Think about his statement in relation to Hannah.  She definitely knew God and had a tremendous amount of heart for the Lord.  She was going through so much in her life and we all tend to grow closer to the Lord because of her turmoil. 

God has total control over all situations, Hannah trusted this.

Question#1 in what ways did Hannah fit the meaning of her name, “grace”?

That we can read in scripture, Hannah did not lash out at her husband, Peninnah, or God for the fact that she was childless.  Grace definition: Elegance and beauty of movement or expression. We know what she may have looked like in her deep grief, so how does that fit the definition? But in the Biblical definition of grace:  Undeserved, unmerited favor, a gracious manner, the divine influence upon the heart and we act upon that influence.  All of our gifts are a reflection of God’s grace.  Coming to an end of ourselves, where we learn to put ourselves aside and leaning totally on God. What graces are we giving back because of the grace that God has given to me?

Referring to chp. 16, in Disciplines of a Godly woman, and the giving we share.  If we don’t do anything with what God has given us then we are meaningless in our walk.  God resists the proud. If we humble ourselves and are obedient, then God grows the fruit.  We become fertile ground.  

Question #2 In what ways was Hannah like both Sarah and Mary the mother of Jesus?

She was childless for many years and relied on God’s promise to provide her a son.  She was faithful. Like Sarah she had problems with the other woman that lasted for many years, and shared the same husband. They were taunted by the fact that Sarah and Hannah were childless.  They were much loved, precious, all of them.   She stayed before the Lord, even with a broken heart, pouring out tearful prayers.   Hannah was raised on the law and understood that her husband could have stopped the vow, but as we know, God was in control and understood the situation.  They dedicated their first born to the Lord.  Hannah was given the opportunity to see her son stay strong in the Lord and grow to worship and serve God.

Compared to Mary the mother of Jesus:

Both mothered a true gift from God and trained them up in every way for the Lord.  Always talking about and serving God.  Mary knew Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and Hannah knew that God had given her a son too.  Their hearts were both familiar with God they were consumed with the grace of God, and surrender to God’s will… which cost them both.  Both women let nothing interfere with their unwavering faith. Both understood prayer as others may not know.  We should look at their lives and follow their examples. 

2 Tim 4:3 - 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Hannah was living at a time when the priests and people were corrupt and doing what they wanted to do. There was a multitude of sin and yet she remained faithful.   Ruth and Hannah lived in the same era.