Scripture: 1 Samuel 1 May 12, 2024

Sermon: “Hannah, mother of Samuel, the Prophet” Pastor John Young

I know I speak for many other sons and daughters when I say:

Thanks, moms, for putting up with us!

 I believe it is the desire of mothers, in general, to be the very best mother that they can be. These mothers are self-less, caring, loving, instructive, and protective. Beginning at conception, they have a ‘God given natural affection.' And, in most cases, it continues even after their children leave the home and begin lives of their own.

 In our text today, we are going to learn about a woman named Hannah. She too wanted to be the best mother she could be...however, she found herself not being able to be a mother at all! Verse 5(b) tells us that the Lord had shut up her womb. She could not bear children. This burdened her so much, that she made a special petition unto the Lord. Verse 11 tells us that she made a vow unto the Lord. The Lord heard her, and answered her request, and in verse 20, we are told that she conceived and bare a son she named Samuel (which means: “Asked of the Lord”).

 If you're not familiar with the Bible, you probably do not know that this boy Samuel became a great prophet of God. So great, that he became the spiritual leader of the whole nation of Israel during his lifetime. Notice chapter 3:19-21!

 Now I don't know too many mothers who wouldn’t like to have those kinds of results with their children. And for this reason, I think it would be good for us to examine what contributed to Hannah’s success. As I looked at this passage, there were three things that caught my attention. Hannah was a great mother because:

I. SHE HAD A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD.

A. This is evidenced by:

1. Verse 11 -- The way she addressed Him. "O LORD"

2. Verse 10 -- Her knowing how to pray.

3. Verse 16 -- Her public testimony.

4. Verse 18 -- Her great faith. (Notice vv. 6 & 7).

B. But how does this make a mother great? I mean, how many kids really care about this?

1. Statistics show, a great number of kids care about this:

a. Here are some written words from a teenager:

1) "I wish my parents knew how much it would have meant to me if our home had been more dedicated to the study of God's Word. I wish they would renew their own devotion to each other and to God. I wish they knew how important these things are to me.”

2) “Mom and Dad, the three most important persons in my life are God and you because you are the three people who have been my examples and my role models for life. And without the influence of this sacred triangle, I fear to think how I would have turned out. I love you both with all my heart and soul.”

It matters to kids a whole lot!

(She had a PERSONAL relationship with the Lord. Not just saved, but a relationship!)

She was also a great mother because:

II. SHE PROVIDED SPIRITUAL DIRECTION FOR HER CHILD.

A. Hannah had a lot of explaining to do to Samuel.

1. Verse 11 (b) says Samuel took on the vow of a Nazarite.

2. Verses 21-22 says she stayed at home.

3. Verse 24 says she took him to the Lord.

All of this took some explaining!!

B. Kids need more than rules and regulations! They need someone to explain "WHY" to them.

1. Mom's do this by:

a) Telling them. (Communication)

b) Training them. (Biblical Instruction).

c) Showing them. (Personal Example!!!)

1) Often, this is where we fail!

2. Listen to this letter from a young person to her parents: “Thank you for your love and concern. I only wish you had been more vocal in discussing my spiritual needs. You never probed deep enough to understand my pain.”

3. Another young person wrote: “I've wanted to tell you how badly I wish I could talk to you about my feelings and the pressure I feel from my friends, but I always felt I couldn't. I've had to teach myself how to deal with my problems and I have felt very alone. You don't know how many times I have just sat in my room and cried...”

Children are crying for spiritual direction from their parents.

Hannah met the spiritual needs of her son.

Last of all: Hannah was a great mother because:

III. SHE PROVIDED FOR HER CHILD’S EMOTIONAL NEEDS.

A. Notice chapter 2:18-19. She showed her love for him.

B. Oh, how our children need this today!

1. Marvin Gay, a very successful music performer during the 70's, had everything going for him. Yet, to one of his closest friends, Curtis Shaw, he made this confession at 44 years of age: "I wish I had my father's love."

C. Many young people are uncertain of their parents’ love. Listen to this sad letter from a young teenage daughter:

1. “I had an abortion today. I had an abortion and I have been sick, ever since. But the vomiting and the cramps cannot compare with how I feel mentally and emotionally. I know that abortion is wrong. So, you wonder why I did it? Because I was stuck, that's why. I got myself into a situation that I saw no other way out. When I was six years old, I had done something wrong, I don't even remember what it was, but I told my mother about it. After I had poured out my soul to her, she just sat there and looked at me like she was really hurt and said, "Honey, we expect better than this from you. Mommy and Daddy want their little girl to be good. I'm so disappointed in YOU!" Although I was only six, I can still feel those words ringing in my ears, and I decided right then that if I ever had a problem or did something wrong, I would not tell my parents. I couldn't risk having them be disappointed in me. Oh, how I needed them to love me by understanding!”

 Hannah was a "great mother," in part, because she did these three simple things.

 Let me ask you today—don't you want to be the best mother you can be????? Of course you do! Well, according to the Bible, you’ll have to follow Hannah's example. And this means you must first secure a relationship with God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Do you know Him? More importantly, does He know you? As good of a mother as you may be; you’ll not be the ‘best’ mother until you are related to God through accepting His Son, Jesus Christ and then yielding your life to Him.

Do you know Him?

And if you do, are you premeditatedly providing spiritual direction for your child or children? (This has to happen ON PURPOSE, with intent!).

God bless you today, on this Mother’s Day. May the Lord bless you as you seek to follow Hannah’s example.

Let’s pray