“Women Of Faith”

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 21, Issue 05   May 8, 2011

It’s not easy to be a mom. While we certainly want to celebrate motherhood today, I realize that this is a very tough day for some of you. With that in mind, I felt led to focus in on Women of Faith.


In the first two chapters of I Samuel, we will discover Five Defining Traits of a Woman of Faith.

1.   Women of faith have problems

I Samuel 1:2 tells us that “Elkanah had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Penninah. Penninah had children, but Hannah had none.” The wifes’ chief role in those days was to provide children. A barren womb was considered a curse. Hannah joins a long line of other women of faith who battled barrenness: Sarah (Abraham’s wife), Rebekah (Isaac’s wife), Rachel (Jacob’s wife), Ruth (Boaz’s wife) and Elizabeth (John the Baptist’s mother). At this point in her life, Hannah would have thought Mother’s Day was just a big rip-off.

As we read further, verse 3 tells us that Elkanah and his two wives made a yearly visit to Shiloh, about a 20 mile journey, to worship the Lord. In verses 4-5, we are shown something about Elkanah’s devoted heart. He gave portions of the sacrificial meat to Penninah and her children, “But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her…”

In that culture, honoured guests were given a “super-sized” meal. It had to be difficult for Hannah to eat the food that was associated with the “thank offering,” when she probably wasn’t all that thankful.

Having a husband who expressed his love probably helped a lot. He was devout in his walk with God and devoted to Hannah, but he had a divided family. Even though these two wives didn’t get along, the most difficult thing that Hannah faced is this phrase “And the Lord had closed her womb” which is repeated twice in verse 5 and verse 6.

We don’t really want to believe that God is behind the circumstances of life. We’d rather blame it all on Satan, or on someone else.

But it is God who allows good things
and bad things to come into our lives.

Verse 6 describes the character of the other wife. “her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.” She couldn’t just be thankful that she had children but felt the need to harass Hannah.

Verse 7 reveals that Penninah did this every year when they went to Shiloh. It bothered Hannah so much that she would weep and not be able to eat.

In verse 8, Elkanah tries his best to comfort his wife: “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” I might be going out on a limb here but it seems he is doing what many of us husbands do when our wives are upset. Instead of listening to her pain, he tries to rationalize her feelings. He tries to solve when he should simply try to understand.

2.   Women of Faith know how to pray

Hannah didn’t shut down or lash out at those around her. She prayed. God uses our problems to get our attention, to teach us, to break us. Hard clay is difficult to shape. Our problems should drive us to prayer.

1Samuel 1:10-11 “In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. And she made a vow, saying, ‘O LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

When tears are in our eyes, our prayer comes from the heart. She makes a vow that if she’s given a son, he’ll be dedicated to the Lord for his entire life. Her son would become a priest.

Hannah realizes an important truth…..
Children are not just for parents; they’re for the Lord. They’re on loan to us. It’s our job to parent, to shepherd and to train them for the Lord’s work.

Verse 12 says, “she kept on praying to the Lord.” This was a repeated request, bathed in tears. She prayed this prayer in her heart. She drew no attention to herself, yet Eli, the priest in verse 17 says “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him.”

This benediction was a huge blessing to Hannah. Her whole countenance changed in verse 18 “She went away and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.” Her face was no longer sad. She had left her concerns with the Lord and now she experiences the “peace that passes all understanding.” Never underestimate the power of a praying woman.

3.   Women of Faith experience God’s provision

A short time after returning home, Hannah conceived and give birth to a son, and she named him Samuel, Hebrew for “heard of God”. Every time she said his name she was reminded of his origin and destiny.

Please try to understand…..just because Hannah’s prayers for a son were answered, doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be given a child because you prayed for one. God answered her prayer not just so she could have a baby. God needed a special prophet He could work through. He allowed a time of barrenness in Hannah’s life to bring a greater blessing in the end.

4.   Women of Faith keep their word

After Samuel was born, Elkanah went once again to Shiloh in order to worship. Hannah decided to not go until Samuel was weaned, which would have been at around three years old. She dedicated herself to her child, nursing and nurturing him, knowing that when he is able to eat on his own, she “will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always”.

Many people make promises to God, only to forget them. Not so with Hannah. She fully intended to keep her promise because she knew that Samuel did not really belong to her anyway.

Hannah not only dedicated herself to her child, she dedicated her child to the Lord.

She then brings Samuel to the house of the Lord saying in verse 28. “So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD”. She repeats this declaration twice.

She never bailed on her responsibility. Look at 1Samuel 2:19 “Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.”

Verse 28 ends with a glimpse into young Samuel’s heart. “And he worshiped the LORD there.” Even at three-years-old, he was able to worship. How do you think he learned how to do this?

No doubt she followed Deuteronomy 6:6-7 “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

It’s one thing to say that our children are dedicated to the Lord; it’s another thing altogether to give them to the Lord.

5.    Women of Faith praise God

There is no sadness here, she drops Samuel off at the temple and then breaks out into praise. 1Samuel 2:1-2 “My heart rejoices in the Lord, in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.”

Notice that she overlooks the gift and gives praise to the Giver.

In verse 3 she focuses on God’s wisdom and knowledge, recognizing that He’s the one who weighs the actions of men and women. In verse 6, she acknowledges God’s ability to bring death and to make alive and in verse 7, she points out that God is the one who sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and exalts.

Hannah is an example of a woman of faith.

  • She goes to the place of worship, knowing how painful it is.
  • She faithfully worships, pouring out her tears and petitions.
  • She keeps her word and she knows how to praise.
Ladies, you are of great worth in God’s sight
whether or not you have a child.
Lift up your head and realize that God
loves you for who you are, not for what you do.
Mothers, make it your mission to give your children
to the Lord for a lifetime of dedicated service.

There’s no greater purpose, than to have your children give their lives in surrendered service to the Lord. If you want your children to follow after God with all they’ve got…..God must first be real in your life.

That reminds me of what happened one Sunday after a Baby Dedication service. As a young family was driving away from church after the dedication of their baby, little Johnny, the older brother, cried all the way home in the back seat of the car. His mother asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, “That pastor said he wanted us to be brought up in a Christian home…and I want to stay with you guys!”

If you want your kids brought up in a Christian home,
make sure that Christ is at home in your heart.

And if He is, then spend the rest of your life giving your children back to the Lord.....they belong to Him anyway.

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