Look What God Did

Hannah went to "church" and her adversary "provoked her" there. Tragically it can happen even there. Her adversary, most believe, was Peninnah, Elhanah's other wife who "had children, sons and daughters" Vs 4. That alone would have broken her heart if not make her jealous.

She wept
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" Ps 51:17. What a great verse and promise. She wept. Don't quench the Spirit 1 Thes. 5:19. We desperately need a broken spirit with the world in trouble as it is.

She fasted
"She did not eat." I wish I had an hour right here. For over 60 years now, when I have faced a crisis or in desperate need, my wife and I have fasted. "Worshiped night and day, fasting and praying" Luke 2:37. Fasting is one the greatest spiritual exercises we can ever practice. It is the most neglected by Christians and what a tragedy. "The real tragedy in life is not what people suffer but what they miss." So much is missed by not fasting like we are taught in Matt. 6:16 where Jesus said, "They are fasting."

Her husband just did not understand He said, "why do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?" vs 8. That dumb bunny. Don't be shocked when people just don't understand, even your own loved ones. Believe me, I have had this all my life. O dear husband, wake up, your wife is hurting. Have you noticed? She needs a hug, She needs your comfort and TLC. And he, dear wife needs your admiration and a lot of TLC, too.


Hannah did the right things
"She, greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly" vs. 10. Now that is a spiritual woman. She did all the right things. O dear people, get serious about your problems. Get a broken heart, pray to the Lord and weep before Him. He loves it. He responds to that tender attitude.

The preacher did not understand "she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk" and rebuked her! vs 13. Too many "Christians" have quit church for a lot less than that. You may be misunderstood by preachers and people but don't you quit.

Look what she did
She responded, "I have poured out my soul before the Lord" vs 15. "The effectual FERVENT PRAYER of a righteous man availeth much" James 5:16. O dear people, this is my need and your need today for ourselves, for our churches, for our country and for our world. Let's pray fervently, faithfully and frequently for "those in authority," 1 Tim 2:1 and for "those who rule over us" spiritually Heb. 13: 7, 17 24.

She made a vow
She vowed if God gave her "a man child" she would "give him to the Lord all the days of his life" vs 11. What is your problem? What is it you want? What will you do with what God gives you? What have you done with what God has already given you? God has given you salvation, spiritual gifts, spiritual opportunities to share the gospel. What have you done with them? I think it is time we all get real serious about the Life God has given us. He did not leave us here to "serve our time" or to "endure to the end" but to "put to use" what He has already given us. Now why don't you "present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Rom 12:1. "I will do as you say" Luke 5:5.

Look what God gave her
He did not give her just "a man child." He gave her Samuel, one of the greatest men of God of all times. Then He gave her more children 2:21.

Prayer:  Father bless Your child reading this. Meet that need. Melt that heart. Break that stubborn spirit and use them to Your glory, in Jesus name

You are loved by God and me all because of Calvary, sumner

How do you respond to bad days?

Did the bottom fall out? Did the roof cave in?

It did for Hannah. See how she handled it.

"Hannah had no children 1 Sam. 1:2." For a Hebrew woman that was the ultimate disappointment. "Things that are never satisfied...the barren womb" Prov. 30:15,16 "God had shut up her womb" vs. 5. She did not know that! It wasn't for something bad she had done but for something big He was going to do. Remember this. It is vital in your situation, in every situation.

She had an adversary
At a time like this she needed a friend not an enemy or adversary. You may have an adversary. You need a friend right now. "And her adversary also provoked her sore" vs. 6. You have an "adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" 1 Peter 5:8. He certainly did a job on Job. Remember, Job did not know what was going on either. You can count on the devil to provoke you, and seek to devour you. Or he will put one of his henchmen, an adversary, to provoke you too.

To make her fret
"Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers" Ps 37:1. "All things do work together for good to them who are called according to His purpose" Rom. 8:28. You must trust God that it is true.

Year by year
This went on for years vs. 7. You have been going through it for a week or month and think you have problems. God isn't through with you yet. "Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning" Ps. 30:5.

On the way to God's house
"When she went up to the house of the Lord" vs. 7. She wasn't running from God. Hannah wasn't away from God. She was faithful to God. "Why do bad things happen to good people?" "So that you may be (A)sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" Matt. 5:45. "When you are down to nothing, be assured God is up to something."

"Reproach has broken my heart and I am so sick And I looked for sympathy, but there was none, And for comforters, but I found none" Ps:69:20. Been there, done that? Haven't we all. Stay with us, It gets worse but the end is not yet. Something big is about to happen. Read 1 Sam. 1 and let's compare notes Friday.

Prayer:  Father, bless Your child who is going through tough times and doesn't know why. Give wisdom and grace to see the big things You have in store for them. In Jesus name

To Whom should we take the Gospel

Everyone!
"The large crowd enjoyed listening to Him" Mk. 12:37. Some people make the mistake, like I did, by going after the worst drunkard or the hardest sinner in town. Don't neglect them, pray for them, but don't start there. People do that too often and find the people are hard. They don't respond and the Christian gets discouraged.

Not many mighty.
"For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble" 1 Cor. 1:26. Often I have heard people say, "If only so and so got saved" and they think of some celebrity and their influence and people they know and think how many would be saved. After 60 plus years in the ministry, it just doesn't happen that way. "God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe" Vs, 21. God wants to use you and me, ordinary people, so He gets the glory.

Don't neglect them. Remember Acts 8 and the Ethiopian Eunuch? He got saved. Remember Paul, he got saved. I have led several doctors, lawyers, wealthy people, hall of famer's to Christ. Celeste and I have been to so many doctors the past 10 years. Not one has been rude or refused a tract.

Go to friends and family
Jesus said, "Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you" Mk. 5:19. First, be sure they see a change in you. Let me make an important statement that I often tell people. The closer a person is to you, friend or family, the more careful you must be. ABOVE all don't be pushy. Don't jump on them. I prayed for my father for 35 years before he accepted Christ. Show and tell is a great way to put it.

I led a 13 year old girl to Christ. She was transformed. She had a passionate burden for her family. Over the next 4 months over 30 adults in her family came to Christ because of her life and witness.

Little children
"Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" Matt. 19:14. Before they get hardened, go after them. In today's world we must be careful not to do anything that would cause suspicion. Child molestation is rampant and we must be careful. Be very careful also to make sure they understand the gospel and how to be saved. More on all of this as we go along.

Don't quench the Spirit
Whatever, while you have that first love and passion, witness and see God open hearts to the gospel.

Prayer:  Father, give \Your children to get the gospel to the right people in their circle of influence and help change lives and the world. In Jesus name

You are loved by God and me, all because of Calvary, sumner