Hannah, A Role Model For All Women!

Who hurts more, men or women? A new Stanford University study examining patients’ medical records found surprisingly clear results: across the board, women report higher levels of pain than men.

“Why the pain responses are at the higher level in females, we really don’t know. Is it completely psychologically based? Is it related to hormones? We are really not clear,” Dr. Prasad Movva with Kaiser San Jose’s chronic pain program told the San Francisco Chronicle. “But this report is a good start definitely.”
-Matzav.com Newscenter, January 26, 2012

The Old Testament contains many role models for us today. For instance, there are great men like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Daniel. And there are great women like Sarah, Ruth, Esther, as well.

A wonderful role model for women of faith today is that of Hannah. She was the mother of Samuel, and one of the greatest prophets of Israel. Her story is told in the first two chapters of 1 Samuel.

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. A longing of the heart denied can cause much pain. 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).

The perception that God in the Old Testament did not treat women well is not true. It was the culture of the time that detested women not God.

From just a simple reading of the material in these two chapters we can learn several lessons from Hannah. For example, as we read 1 Samuel 1:1-8, we learn that women of faith endure real problems!

Let's look at Hannah's problems. Her womb was closed by the Lord (1 Samuel 1:1-5), and she endured constant provoking by her rival (1 Samuel 1:6-8). So, what can we learn from Hannah?

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). Therefore, 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).

Women of faith have problems just like other women. But, what distinguishes them as women of faith is what they do when faced with their problems, as we gather from reading 1 Samuel 1:9-18.

From Hannah, we learn that women of faith extend vibrant prayers! For instance, when Hannah prayed to the Lord, she prayed...

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)

We, as women, can learn from Hannah's example 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 surprise to see as we continue reading (1 Samuel 1:19-20) that women of faith experience God's provisions!

Hannah experienced God's provisions when the Lord remembered her (1 Samuel 1:19); and when He gave her a son, whom she named Samuel ("heard of God") - 1 Samuel 1:20.

What does Hannah's example teach us here? We learn that God may sometimes give us what we want, although it must be according to His will (1 John 5:14). We also learn that we must abide in His words (John 15:7); and that selfish prayers will not be answered as we wish (James 4:3).

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, she received that for which she asked. But she had made a vow, and as we read on (1 Samuel 1:21-28), we see that women of faith excel at keeping promises!

In Hannah's case, she planned to keep her promise (1 Samuel 1:22). She carried out what she promised (1 Samuel 1:24-28). And, most importantly, she worshipped the Lord (1 Samuel 1:28). The lesson we learn from Hannah here is that we should keep our vows. 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).

We should worship the Lord. Fulfillment of vows or promises should not be done unwillingly. 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 praise!

Hannah's praise was done with great joy in her heart (1 Samuel 2:1), and with praise for the Lord for His help (1 Samuel 2:2-10). What can we learn from Hannah about expressing our faith?

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 also offer praise for blessings received as David offered thanks, and promised to praise God (Psalms 18:49). After all, praising God is how Christians offer spiritual sacrifices to God (Hebrews 13:15)!

In closing, the story of Hannah serves to remind us that all women of faith...

a. Endure real problems
b. Extend vibrant prayers
c. Experience God's provisions
d. Excel at keeping promises
e. Express their praise

Today, anyone can become a person of faith. This is extended to you 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 too can become a person of faith! Isn't that wonderful to know?

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:

Lord, may I always seek to know You in all Your fullness. Amen

Have a blessed day,

Brooke