Are You Having a Very Bad Day?

“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord.

Introduction

Have you read the book or seen the movie - Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day? Alexander starts the day by waking up with gum in his hair — things go down hill from there. Have you ever had a day like that? Everything you touch falls apart. Everything you say comes out wrong. Those are days you wish you could skip over or try again. We all have them once in a while

Sometimes we have terrible, horrible, no good, very bad seasons in life — full of disappointment, emotional pain, stress, confusion — your heart is troubled — you are in distress or sorrow. It’s difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe it’s an unfulfilled dream, the loss of a loved one, a broken or difficult relationship, the weariness of physical illness, the constant strain of keeping up with the bills, with no end in sight.

Narrative:

The story of Hannah is a compelling example of someone experiencing this kind of season. The events recorded in take place during the time of the Judges in Isreal. They had no king yet.

One reason for Hannah’s troubled life arose because of the existence of polygamy. It wasn’t God’s plan— nevertheless, it was practiced. It was the source of much sorrow, distress and sin. Think about Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon — how did polygamy work out for them? We should be very grateful that this abomination has been done away with in Christianity and in most cultures.

Can you imagine living that kind of life?

A wise man’s advice to a Sultan — First learn to live with two tigresses,and then expect to live happily with two wives - (quote from a Charles Spurgeon message)

If you were the wife…the distress would be over the top. It must have been miserable trying to navigate that situation — jealously, hatred, unfair treatment, comparison, etc.

Hannah was probably the first wife of Elkanah. He also had a wife by the name of Peninnah. Peninnah had children while Hannah had none.

Every year, Elkanah took his family on a journey to Shiloh to worship the Lord and offer sacrifices. On the day of the sacrifices Elkanah would give a portion of the meat to Peninnah and her children, along with Hannah. It is interesting to note that Elkanah gave Hannah a double portion — “because he loved her.” He probably had compassion because Peninnah tried to provoke Hannah regularly: “I have children…you don’t.” She was most likely jealous and this was her way of getting back at Hannah.

It is interesting to note that Elkanah gave Hannah an extra, or double portion — “because he loved her.” He probably had compassion because Peninnah tried to provoke Hannah regularly: “I have children…you don’t.” She was mostly likely jealous and this was her immature way of getting back at Hannah.

In our story, we find Elkanah and his family at Shiloh to worship the Lord — the tradition included a feast after the time of worship and sacrifice. Hannah refused to eat…she was troubled in spirit…her heart was heavy. And why not? She had no children and this was extremely important to Jewish women.

Hannah stood in the temple weeping because of the distress in her heart and the unfulfilled desire for a child. She had probably been praying year after year…and was very desperate by this point.

1 Samuel 1:11 NIV

1 Samuel 1:11–18 NIV

And she made a vow, saying, “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.” As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

1 Samuel 1:11–15 NIV

1 Samuel 1:15 NIV

“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord.

When the Lord used Eli to encourage Hannah,God used that moment to lift her burden and to let her know her prayer would be answered

Big Idea: If your heart is troubled, call on the Lord: He will bless you with priceless treasure in due season

Transition: We don’t enjoy times when we are troubled in spirit and unsure of what the future holds…but it is a scriptural principle that during our trials God is with us and will show us things we could only learn in that way — priceless treasures — landmarks in our lives.

Priceless treasure has a deep connection with a troubled heart

It’s not normal to desire a troubled heart. If we have a choice, let us always be light-hearted, happy, and holy. However…there are some treasures we can only experience through times of distress.

A few things about Hannah that we should like to see in our lives. She had a troubled heart, but...

Some people are not interested in honoring God anyway - they look for selfish satisfaction and to get their way always.

A few things about Hannah that we should like to see in our lives

Hannah was a godly woman

Her prayers were sincere

She was a devout worshipper of Jehovah

She feared the Lord, was a graceful woman — and yet, her heart was deeply troubled

The Bible says the Lord chastens those that He loves — not “He gives them everything they want because He loves them”

James 1:2–4 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Point of balance — the Bible teaches that the wicked suffer many sorrows.

Point of balance — just because someone suffers many trials and struggles doesn’t make them a child of God — the Bible teaches that the wicked suffer many sorrows.

Hannah was a lovable woman

Elkanah loved her deeply — this is obvious from the story

He didn’t care at all if she had children or not

He loved her just for being her — he loved her heart and soul

I think she was easy to love

Hannah was a gentle woman

In their minds, everyone else’s troubles are nothing compared to their own

If you are troubled in spirit…going through difficult seasons, pray that the Lord would enable you to have the grace and faith of a Hannah. Pray that you won’t fall into that selfish trap and become a pain in the neck to everyone around you.

Just because we are in a season of distress doesn’t mean that should be the theme of everything we say and do…

We still have a life to live — one that honors God, blesses others, sets the example for our children - these things are very important

Hannah was a gentle woman

When Peninnah tried to provoke her…she didn’t take the bait — she slipped away to the sanctuary to weep in God’s presence

When Eli said — “have you been drinking?” She didn’t answer in harsh tones — she simply poured out her heart to him

Hannah was a thoughtful woman

Her distress drove her to contemplation of her situation, but ultimately into much prayer and communion with the Lord

Her words and prayers demonstrate that she was a thoughtful woman

Hannah’s distress brought blessings to her

She learned to pray

Priceless treasure has a deep connection with a troubled heart

She poured out her heart to the Lord — it is obvious from the story that she had been praying long and hard — seeking the Lord above all else

She made her appeal to the Lord — not her best friend, not even her husband, —

She learned self-denial

Our struggles will become more insurmountable and cause more anger and bitterness, the longer we delay bringing them to the Lord

C.H. Spurgeon: When the heart is merry we may sing psalms, but concerning the afflicted it is written, “Let him pray.”

We need to learn the art of prevailing in prayer — waiting - watching — weeping, etc.

She learned self-denial

The action she took to weep, petition, and pray regularly before the Lord showed her willingness to deny herself in order to reach the Lord and see her prayers answered

The very thing she prayed so diligently for — a son — she vowed to give back to the Lord to serve all the days of his life

She learned faith

To take it a step further — Hannah offered her son without being prompted — she did it of her own free will — not as a bargaining chip — but as a true act of faith and love towards God

She learned faith

As soon as Eli said “go in peace — may the lord grant your request!” her countenance changed.

She knew God had answered her cry

Transition: Hannah’s story is just one example out of so many: we see clearly that God can create priceless treasure out of troubled hearts and sorrowful situations

Priceless treasure is a gift from God to His child that has a troubled heart

1 Samuel 2:1–8 NIV

Then Hannah prayed and said: “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. “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away. “The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world.

What gifts did Hannah receive?

Her prayers were answered

Little did she know, when Eli rebuked her for being drunk, that in a few short years she would be there again, with her son Samuel — and Eli would look upon her with great respect and joy because of the Lord’s favor

Little did she know, that day when Eli rebuked her for being drunk, that in a few short years she would be there again — and Eli would look upon her with great respect and joy because of the Lord’s favor

She learned many precious truths (1 Samuel 2:1-11)

The true source of joy is the Lord Himself

“My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high”

The Lord’s holiness

“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God

The Lord’s all-sufficiency & grace

“The Lord raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap”

The Lord’s providence

“…those who oppose the Lord will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven;”

She gained the power to exalt the Lord

In due season, He revived, refreshed, and renewed her — she was able to lift her head and sing a beautiful son of praise to the Lord.

She gained the power to exalt the Lord

In due season, He revived, refreshed, and renewed her — she was able to lift her head and sing a beautiful son of praise to the Lord.

God prepared her to receive more blessings

Because she so freely gave her son Samuel to the Lord as an act of worship God blessed her more than she could imagine

Towards end of chapter two, we catch a glimpse of the little boy Samuel, serving along side Eli, who was getting up there in years.

Hannah would come every year and bring a little robe for Samuel — ephod

And every year Eli would bless Elkanah and Hannah

1 Samuel 2:

“May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord.” Then they would go home. And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.

1 Samuel 2:20–22 NIV

Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord.” Then they would go home. And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord. Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

Challenge

Every one of God’s children experiences bad days, difficult seasons, and troubled hearts

Every one of God’s children experiences bad days, seasons, and troubled hearts

Every one of God’s children experiences bad days and troubled hearts

Be encouraged

A troubled heart can lead to a more intimate and satisfying relationship with the Lord

When your heart is troubled — do what Hannah did — cry out to God consistently until the burden is lifted — the prayer is answered in some way

Our struggles will become more insurmountable and cause more anger and bitterness, the longer we delay bringing them to the Lord

C.H. Spurgeon: When the heart is merry we may sing psalms, but concerning the afflicted it is written, “Let him pray.”

Learn the art of prevailing in prayer — waiting - watching — weeping, etc.

Wait upon the Lord - pour out your troubled heart to Him

In due season…you will be blessed in amazing ways

Watch out for the trap of a bad attitude

Just because you are in a season of distress doesn’t mean that should be the theme of everything you say and do…

Just because we are in a season of distress doesn’t mean that should be the theme of everything we say and do…

We still have a life to live — one that honors God, blesses others, sets the example for our children - these things are very important

Hannah was in great distress, this is true, but what was her demeanor? How did she treat her husband, Eli, and even Peninnah

Be Thankful

Hannah sang a beautiful song of praise and worship to the Lord

What do we have to be thankful for?

The most important thing is Jesus Himself — He came so that we can have life and a powerful relationship with Him

God’s sovereign hand at work, even when we don’t see it

The grace and empowerment to pray

Our struggles will become more insurmountable and cause more anger and bitterness, the longer we delay bringing them to the Lord

C.H. Spurgeon: When the heart is merry we may sing psalms, but concerning the afflicted it is written, “Let him pray.”

We need to learn the art of prevailing in prayer — waiting - watching — weeping, etc.

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