Women Can Walk Strongly In Faith and Victory, Too!

One of the many things I love about our ministry is how we promote and encourage women from all walks of life to become strong in Christ. In fact, the strength of the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry is based on this foundational principle. We firmly believe that women can and do have much to contribute. We, as women, were meant to be big players in Christ! It's just taken a while for many of us to realize it.

In regards to this, I found that as I spent more time immersed in the Word, a picture gradually emerged. I began to see that there is an outer Bible; a story of men and women, of wars and wonders. And there is an inner Bible, according to ancient traditions, in which each word uncovers fathomless wisdom, beauty and light.

From the outside, the women of the Bible appear to play only a supportive role in a drama dominated by men. From the inside emerges a story of men manipulated by potent women and nurtured with feminine values. A story that reveals the inner quality of womanhood that transcends the minds of men. In today's message, I would like to discuss one of these women whose faith made her stand out in the Bible. Her name was Hannah. She was the mother of Samuel, one of the greatest prophets of Israel whose story is told in the first two chapters of 1 Samuel.

Hannah was one of two wives married to Elkanah, An Ephraimite (1 Samuel 1:1,2). Hannah had what many would call 'a raw deal in life'. She was childless in a society that considered not having a child the ultimate failure. She was provoked by Elkanah's second wife, Peninnah, because she was not able to bear children (1 Samuel 1:4,6,7). A longing of the heart denied, especially like this, can cause much pain. But, rather than allow her pain to cause bitterness towards God, Hannah used the pain in her heart as a catalyst to pray. (1 Samuel 1:12-20).

From just a simple reading of the material in these two chapters we can learn much about Hannah. For example, if we read 1 Samuel 1:1-8, we learn that women of faith endure real problems. How so? She had some pretty significant problems. Her womb was closed by the Lord (1 Samuel 1:1-5), and she received constant provoking by her rival (1 Samuel 1:6-8).

Additionally, we learn that women of faith are not without problems in this life. The righteous often suffer (remember Job). Sarah likewise suffered ridicule from her handmaiden Hagar (Genesis 16:3-5). I'd like to comment here that we should not let others deter our trust in the Lord. Hannah could have used her misfortune and mistreatment as an excuse. Yet, year after year Hannah continued to worship the Lord (1 Samuel 1:7).

Obviously, women of faith have problems just like other women. What distinguishes them as women of faith is what they do when faced with their problems, as we can learn by reading 1 Samuel 1:9-18. What do they do? They pray! A woman of faith extends vibrant prayers, as in the following verses:

1. With the bitterness of soul - 1 Samuel 1:10
2. With weeping in anguish - 1 Samuel 1:10
3. With offers of a solemn vow - 1 Samuel 1:11
4. With persistence - 1 Samuel 1:12
5. With her heart - 1 Samuel 1:13
6. With all her soul - 1 Samuel 1:15-16
7. With faith in God's promise - 1 Samuel 1:18

And from this, we can learn to:

1. Pray fervently - she put her soul in her prayers - Colossians 4:2a
2. Pray persistently - she continued steadfastly in prayers - Colossians 4:2b
3. Pray faithfully - she believed that God would answer her prayers - 1 John 5:14-15

Women of faith believe in the effectiveness of prayer. God takes notice of such faith (2 Chronicles 16:9), so we should not be surprised to see, as we continue reading (1 Samuel 1:19-20), that women of faith experience God's provisions! In Hannah's case, her provisions were when the Lord remembered her (1 Samuel 1:19); and when the Lord gave her a son, whom she named Samuel (1 Samuel 1:20).

What lesson can we learn from Hannah here? We learn that God may sometimes give us what we want. But it must be according to His will (1 John 5:14); we must abide in His words (John 15:7); and be aware that selfish prayers will not be answered as we wish! (James 4:3) Sure, this might sound like a lot of stipulations, but God will always provide what we need. It may not be what we want or expect, but it will meet our needs, and be for our good (cf. Matthew 6:33; Romans 8:28).

In Hannah's case, after making a vow she received that for which she asked (1 Samuel 1:21-28). What does this demonstrate? It shows us that women of faith keep their promises! We see in Hannah's promise that:

1. She planned to keep her promise - 1 Samuel 1:22;
2. She carried out what she promised - 1 Samuel 1:24-28; and
3. She worshipped the Lord - 1 Samuel 1:28

The lesson learned from Hannah, by the aforementioned points, is that we should keep our vows. After all, God has no pleasure in fools who do not keep their vows (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5). As Christians, even our 'yes' and 'no' are as solemn vows (Matthew 5:33-37; James 5:12). Also, 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 (cf. Colossians 3:17).

Finally, we note Hannah's prayer of thanksgiving (1 Samuel 2:1-10), which is reminiscent of Mary's 'Magnificat' (Luke 1:46-55). Both prayers reveal that women of faith express their faith. In Hannah's case, she expressed her praise with great joy in her heart (1 Samuel 2:1), and with praise for the Lord for His help (1 Samuel 2:2-10). We should rejoice in blessings received for we are to rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16). 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 (Psalm 18:49). Praising God is how Christians offer spiritual sacrifices to God (Hebrews 13:15).

In closing, Hannah 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. Yes, it is true! 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, offer your life and the fruit of your lips in praise to Him, you can become a person of faith, too! 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 Samuel 2:1)

Prayer:

For surely O Lord you bless the righteous. I therefore declare that I am blessed because of Christ. Thank You for surrounding me with Your favour as with a shield. I thank You Lord that I can abound in your favour and blessing today. I therefore expect Your favour to go before me today. I anticipate the favour of God surrounding me and I expect my Heavenly Father to give me favour with men even with the ungodly.

I thank You Heavenly Father for opening doors for me that neither man nor the devil can shut. Thank You for blessing the works of my hands as I walk under an open heaven. May I experience your supernatural increase and provision in every area of my life this day. I choose to walk in faith and in victory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

May God always bless you,

~Eve