Untitled Sermon

Introduction (Me)

Depression and Mother’s Day.

Need some Facts on Depression both dealing with post partum as well as general facts.

I will need to include something about in this story the Lord had his “hand over Hannah’s womb” Sagar (sa gar) Hebrew shut or have hand over someone to close-because of timing. Samuel needed to be born at the right time, etc but life and nature are life and nature God will use those things for his glory etc somehow being sensitive to the subject of infertility here…

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament 1:1-28: Samuel’s Birth

1:2. shame of childlessness. Since bearing children was a sign of God’s greatest blessing (

A Handbook on the First Book of Samuel 1. Elkanah and His Family at Shiloh (1 Sam 1:1–8)

This is figurative language meaning that God “had not granted her children” (REB).

1, 2 Samuel (1) The Lord Opens Hannah’s Womb (1:1–20)

In this passage Israelite faith expresses its supreme paradox and boldest affirmation—the Lord may create social and natural tragedies in order to accomplish his purposes that far outweigh the calamity. The Lord sometimes engineers social tragedies, yet he carries them out “that the work of God might be displayed” (

1, 2 Samuel (1) The Lord Opens Hannah’s Womb (1:1–20)

Hannah’s effect on Israelite society came through the gentle forces of faith and motherhood. Through Hannah the point is made that women of faith played a legitimate and even formative role in shaping Israel’s history. Hannah’s faith turned the tide of the period of the Judges by producing the transitional figure Samuel. Robert Bergen NAC

1 Sam 1:7 Hannah wept and would not eat

Symptoms of depression.

Wept: to cry freely and profusely from sadness or distress- LAMENT

Talk about lament here and refer to the Psalms. The Lord is good with Lament, you don’t have to fake it till you make it with the Lord.

1 Sam 1:8 How to help those with depression. Elkahnah tried-am I not enough.

What to say and not to say…How can you be there…How can you pray for them/support them

1 Sam 1:10 What was different about this time? She got up and she went to the Lord She was deeply distressed, she wept bitterly, she made a vow. She released what she was holding onto-this all belongs to you if you answer my prayer the way I “want” you to or not, it all belongs to you. God don’t forget oume in this…the Psalmists prayer-God don’t forget me-where are you-I can’t see you-I can’t feel you.

1, 2 Samuel (1) The Lord Opens Hannah’s Womb (1:1–20)

Here she is shown going up to the Lord’s house; no other woman in the Old Testament is mentioned doing this. In addition, Hannah is the only woman shown making and fulfilling a vow to the Lord; she is also the only woman who is specifically said to pray (Hb. pll; 1:10, 12, 26–27; 2:1); her prayer is also among the longest recorded in the Old Testament. Furthermore, her prayer includes the most recorded utterances of Yahweh’s name by a woman (eighteen). She is shown avoiding the faults of the first infertile covenant woman by seeking help from Yahweh rather than pursuing crafty schemes (cf.

1, 2 Samuel (1) The Lord Opens Hannah’s Womb (1:1–20)

1:10 Hannah wept and prayed to the Lord “in bitterness of soul,” a phrase used elsewhere to characterize the psychological pain experienced by one who has been deprived of a child through death (cf.

1 Sam 1:14 Dealing with what others think…Eli thought she was drunk-she clarified for him

Don’t be depressed in isolation. Find someone you can talk to.

Maybe that’s a friend-maybe it’s a pastor-maybe it’s a counselor. The point is let someone speak into your life and into your situation. We are so bad to think we need to pull it all together. And then we lament and God is saying here are these people, here are these tools. But we convince ourselves it’s not that bad-who is holding you accountable to show up? to your life-your family-your friends?

Eli speaks life and after this point 1 Sam 1:18 she doesn’t magically become pregnant but she is no longer sad-she eats-her hope in life, in Yahweh, in her relationships are restored.

1, 2 Samuel (1) The Lord Opens Hannah’s Womb (1:1–20)

Hannah’s departure from the sanctuary area was an example of faith triumphant. Though she had approached the Lord in the depths of despondency, she left the sanctuary elevated and transformed. Hannah’s spiritual victory, won through the labor of tearful prayers, enabled her to eat the festival meal in peace and hope.

The word remember-do you think the Lord forgot about you? the word here means to “think about”-no he’s thinking about you-he is perfectly aware-do we trust Him? 1 Sam 1:20 And in due time could have been nine months later-could have been 9 years…in due time.

This will circle it all back around to timing.

Lexham Context Commentary: Old Testament God Raises Up Samuel as Prophet Over Israel (1:1–3:21)

Israel needs leadership, and the Lord meets that need through barren Hannah

If she had to had to learn to trust in the Lord, if she had not surrederend and released him to the Lord before he was born would she have been able to after.

Samuel’s place was in the temple-she had to let go of him. Last week we had to let go in order to forgive. This week what do we need to let go of in order to live in freedom and in joy.

Define joy and contrast with depression here.

End the message with joy and hope- a Psalm.

This big idea/Sticky Statement: there are so many references to worship.

Here it literally means to bow down-reference worship and praise and what it can look like from surrender to thankfulness to joy (lifting hands, clapping, etc)

A Handbook on the First Book of Samuel 1. Elkanah and His Family at Shiloh (1 Sam 1:1–8)

To worship. literally “to bow down.” The same verb occurs in verses 19 and 28 of this chapter. The person worshiping touched not only his or her knees to the ground but also the head. Fox says “to prostrate-himself.”

They went up to worship it was routine-what does our routine look like. Our we routinely in a place where God or others can speak to us-Worship is more than singing songs-it’s a life lived in praise-it’s a life lived for Him no matter what it looks like around me. Worship is the antiecdote to depression. Maybe even refer to poison and how it words and compare to depression…there is an antiecdote to depression it’s worship. Worship allows us to express our lament-our depression. Worship allows us to surrender everything to God. Worship reminds us where our joy lies where our foundation is. Worship turns our hearts to Him instead of to our pain.

From lament to thanksgiving 1 Sam 2

1, 2 Samuel (3) Hannah Rejoices in the Lord (2:1–10)

p 75 This section, which contains Hannah’s last recorded words and her longest quotation (112 words), provides a triumphant climax to the narrator’s portrayal of the humble woman’s faith. It is often considered to be a deliberate literary complement to

1, 2 Samuel (3) Hannah Rejoices in the Lord (2:1–10)

The object of Hannah’s delight is neither herself—that she has overcome the disgrace of barrenness—nor her son; instead it is the Lord, who is the source of both her son and her happy circumstance.

1, 2 Samuel (3) Hannah Rejoices in the Lord (2:1–10)

The close parallels between Hannah’s Prayer and Mary’s Song (

Link here to salvation prayer.

Research on Depression

Depression

Synopsis

A deep sense of despondency, discouragement and sadness, often linked with a sense of personal powerlessness and a loss of meaning in and enthusiasm for life. Many biblical characters show evidence of such behaviour which originates in a number of different ways.

Some causes of depression

External circumstances

Job 9:23 (ESV) — 23 When disaster brings sudden death, he mocks at the calamity of the innocent.

Physical illness or exhaustion

Psalm 22:14–17 (ESV) — 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— 17 I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me;

Fear of others

Serious sin

Psalm 25:16–18 (ESV) — 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. 18 Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.

A sense of the futility of life

Ecclesiastes 2:17–20 (ESV) — 17 So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Loss of sense of God’s presence

Psalm 22:1–2 (ESV) — 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.

Symptoms of depression

A loathing of life and a desire to end it

Job 10:1 (ESV) — 1 “I loathe my life; I will give free utterance to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

Deep sorrow

Job 16:16 (ESV) — 16 My face is red with weeping, and on my eyelids is deep darkness,

Loneliness

Perplexity

Psalm 42:5 (ESV) — 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation

Despair

Psalm 88:3–9 (ESV) — 3 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. 4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength, 5 like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand. 6 You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep. 7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah 8 You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; 9 my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call upon you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you.

Escapism

Psalm 55:6–8 (ESV) — 6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; 7 yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah 8 I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.”

Feeling forsaken by God

Psalm 27:9 (ESV) — 9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!

Psalm 38:21 (ESV) — 21 Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me!

Examples of spiritual depression

Psalm 22:1–2 (ESV) — 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.

Psalm 42:9–11 (ESV) — 9 I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” 10 As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Remedies for depression

Renewed vision of God and being centred upon him

Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) — 3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Hope and trust in God

Psalm 42:11 (ESV) — 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Praise

Psalm 42:5 (ESV) — 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation

Reviewing what God has done

Lamentations 3:19–26 (ESV) — 19 Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! 20 My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. 21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. 26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Prayer

Psalm 139:23 (ESV) — 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!