Mothers day 1 Sam-1_1

Text: 1 Sam. 1:26-28

Title: A Godly Mother

Intro: I am reminded of a Mother’s Day card that was really cute. It was a great big card written in child’s printing. On the front was a picture of a little boy with his sneakers untied. He had a wagon, and toys were everywhere. He had a small cut on his face and there were smudges all over the card. On the outside It read, “Mom, I remember that prayer you used to say for me every day.” Inside, “God help you if you ever do that again.”

Motherhood can be trying but all in all Motherhood is a gift from God. Today we want to give thanks for our mothers and “tell them that we appreciate them and love them.”

Everyone has been affected by a mother….

If you are a mother please stand….

If you have a mother please stand….

Everyone has been affected by a mother, good or bad… it is the mother who God uses to bring us to life.

Today I want to speak to you about a godly mother from the scriptures. A mother who can be used as an example of the ideal mother.

Hannah – grace “Undeserved acceptance and love received from another”

What a suiting name for this lady.

Orientate the Scripture:

Elkanah (Tribe Ephraim) Vs. 1

Two wives Peninnah and Hannah Vs. 2

Peninnah had children Hannah did not Vs. 2

Hannah was barrenVs. 5

Peninnah would taunt Hannah (years)Vs. 7

Elkanah was a God-fearing man, took his family to Shiloh where the tabernacle was, to offer sacrifices for the ascribed feast according to the Law

Hannah knew where to take her troubles; she knew the faithfulness of God.

Hannah is faithful lady, who loved and trusted the Lord and her love and faithfulness spewed over into motherhood and because of this a young boy and a nation was positively impacted.

CPS: Do you want to make a positive impact on your children and the world around you, then take a lesson from Hannah.

Today I will share four principles of motherhood demonstrated by Hannah

A godly mother understands that motherhood is a privilege Vs. 4-8

Yes, motherhood is a privilege set forth by God. We see this in the very beginning of time.

God created woman (Eve) and God tells the first couple to multiply. God is using you to bring forth life in His creation.

This is a principle that seems to be forgotten, at one time the safest place for a baby was inside the mother’s womb, but now it is one of the most dangerous places.

I imagine that Hannah watched, Peninnah love and play with her children. Hannah’s heart’s desire was to have a child, the Bible says that God had closed her womb.

During this time period it was thought to be barren was a curse from God due to sin, but this is not the case when you understand that God is sovereign and it is Him using you to bring forth life.

Some of the most famous women in the scripture were barren.

Sarah (90)

Rachel (the wife whom Jacob loved and mother of Joseph)

Rachel prayed, and she said, “Lord, give me children, or I die.” (Genesis 30:1

Ruth (grandmother of David)

Elizabeth (John the Baptist)

Do you know what they had in common, they were barren, yet they came to God and God gave them a child.

Motherhood is not a right it is a privilege…. And it should remembered as so…

God put a little life into your CARE to raise up and to go into the world God created for His glory.

Life is a privilege of God, motherhood is a privilege from God.

Transition: There are some women who never experience motherhood, this doesn’t mean that God loves you less. It means He had another plan for you.

A godly mother is a praying mother Vs. 9-18

Prayer is important, it is God’s two-way communication. I can’t tell you how many times I have been troubled and called someone dear to me, to hear these words; “get off the phone and take it to the throne.”

Hannah knew where to go, she knew who to go to. She went to the LORD of HOST! The God of Armies. She asked Him to fight her battles.

Unlike Sarah, who took matters into her own hands (Hagar)…

Hannah prayed for a child… because she understood the principle that all good gifts come from the Lord.

But notice how she prayed… Vs. 10…. She wept bitterly…

she poured out her soul to God… but have poured out my soul before the LORD 1 Sam 1:15.

She prayed in such distress that the priest Eli thought she was drunk… She was praying in the Spirit of God.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26

A godly mother pours out her soul to the Lord on behalf of her children

Notice when Hannah started praying for her Child… before he was born!

A godly mother prays for her children all of her days, before conception, during pregnancy, and after birth.

Notice her prayer…. Vs. 11 “I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, his hair will never be cut.”

Hannah’s prayer was for the boys life to be dedicated to the Lord…. She gave the child she asked for to the Lord before he was ever born.

There is no prayer that you can pray for your children greater than… His/Her life to be dedicated to God.

She made a NAZIRITE vow to the Lord… to devote him to God.

Hannah was a praying mother! I can’t think of a greater principle of motherhood than to pray for your children.

Illustration: If you want to make a difference in the life of your child, pray for them.

Edward Payson (Praying Payson): “Prayer is the first thing, the second thing, the third thing necessary to a (minister) godly mother. Pray, then, my dear mothers; pray, pray, pray.”

Transition: Hannah was a model for motherhood, she understood that motherhood was a privilege, and she prayed for a child and prayed for her child to be dedicated to the Lord all of his life.

A godly mother is a was a wise mother Vs. 19-23

God Answered her prayer for a child… she named him Samuel which rightfully means…. “ I requested him from the Lord.”

Hannah was wise and she understood this biblical principle:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

The epitome of her wisdom is seen in her dedicating the Child…. She understood that Children could come to know the Lord.

Children can come to the Lord, we see this often times in ministry, all three of our boys came to know him early…. Young Hannah came two weeks ago and said, “I have come to know the Lord.”

Praise Jesus!

Now notice Hannah’s wisdom in her desire for Samuel to use his whole life to serve the Lord in… verse 22

I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide forever 1 Sam 1:22b

Elkanah was going to Shiloh to offer their yearly sacrifice, Hannah said I’m not going, instead I am going to wean Samuel and then take him to the Lord forever.

During this time period a mother weened her baby for the first 4 years if their lives… Hannah took advantage of these years…

This is my baby. I’m going to persuade this child.

She was intentional in what she did, she taught Samuel correctly… I believe from one of Israel’s most sacred Scriptures:

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. Deut. 6:4-8

She intentionally walked and talked with Samuel according to Scripture.

Illustration: I think of the New Testament example that Paul uses as he speaks to his spiritual son Timothy.

“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” (2 Timothy 1:5)

Imagine Lois rocking here precious little daughter Eunice, saying… “Eunice, Jesus loves you”—“Eunice, Jesus loves you.” Eunice had a little boy named Timothy: “Timothy, Jesus loves you.”

Now they wouldn’t have known the name Jesus at that time but they are saying… God loves… and Jesus is God…

I imagine Hannah persuaded Samuel that God loves him….. She would rock him to sleep saying… “The Lord Loves You.” He does!!! He love you!!!

Transition: Hannah was wise, understanding that her child could come to know the Lord EARLY and use his entire life to serve Him.

Have you taught your child, that they can use their entire life to serve Him?

A godly mother is a successful mother Vs. 24-28

A godly mother succeeds, it is her life’s goal to pray for her child and to teach her child. She viewed motherhood as a privilege, understanding that a child belonged to her for a short while, but ultimately the child belongs to God.

We see that Hannah succeeded as she intentionally taught young Samuel.

As she promised the Lord and her husband, she brought young Samuel to the place of God.

NB) I now give the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is given to the LORD.” Then he worshiped the LORD there. 1 Sam 1:28.

Young Samuel worshiped the Lord!

Illustration: Never underestimate the power of a godly mother.

Application: Hannah was a godly mother, and we see the impact that she had on young Samuel.

He worshipped the Lord and a very young age. Samuel served the Lord all the days of his life. As you read through the early Chapters of this book, you see the high priest Eli, who took Samuel wasn’t the greatest role model, perhaps the only thing Eli taught Samuel worthy to mention is to say “HERE I AM LORD” as the Lord called.

I am convinced that Samuel’s role model was his mother and Samuel answered God’s call and lived all of his days.

Hannah was a godly mother; we see her finger print left on Samuel who had an impact on all of Israel.

Samuel was the last judge of Israel, I am convinced he was the most dedicated and greatest judge Israel ever had. Samuel the Judge and prophet ushered in a new type of government, a monarchy as he was appointed by God to anoint the first to kings of Israel. Saul and David.

Conclusion: Today will you take these principles of motherhood and apply them to your life?

Do you view motherhood as a privilege from God? Are you a praying mother? Are you a wise mother, “are you bringing your child to the Lord?” Are you successful in your role as mother, “what are the fruits of your labor for your child?” are they eternal fruits.