The Lamb of God

JOHN 1:1-51

Theme: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and He executed His office as the Lamb of God.

Introduction:

Heb. 9:22b says, “Without shedding of blood is no remission.” Why is it so? God is not only merciful, but He is also just. How can God forgive us without our dying for sin? (See Romans 3:23.) Jesus paid the penalty.

Hebrews 9:22, And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Romans 3:23, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Martin Luther wrote concerning this gospel, "This is the unique, tender, genuine chief gospel. . . should a tyrant succeed in destroying the Holy Scriptures and only a single copy of the epistle to the Romans and the gospel of John escape him, Christianity would be saved." The gospel of John clearly sets forth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God and that those who accept this Christ as their Savior will have eternal life.

1)           Fact: Jesus Christ Is Both the Son of God and the Lamb of God. In the Bible, Jesus is referred to by many different names. Each name signifies a particular office or responsibility that He has, and illustrates the functions of that office.

2)           As the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ Was Offered as a Sacrifice by God Just as an Israelite Would Offer a Lamb in the Old Testament.

3)           John the Baptist Was Sent by God to Declare That Jesus Was the Christ That Israel Had Been Waiting For, and that He was also the "Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world" (Jn. 1:29).

THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE SON OF GOD AS THE LAMB

   A.  THE TESTIMONY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (Jn. 1:1-27)

       1.  I Am Not the Christ (Jn. 1:20)

The Jews heard of John baptizing people and sent a delegation of priests and Levites to inquire of his identity. They were familiar with the Old Testament passages that prophesied of a coming Messiah, and because of John's large following asked him if he were the Christ. John replied that he was not.

Since John has come in the spirit and power of Elijah (Lk. 1:17), and they knew that Elijah would someday return (Mal. 4:5), they asked him if he were Elijah. John again replied, “No.”

The priests asked him if he was that prophet (Jn. 1:21), referring to a prophecy of Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15-18. Again John replied, “No.”

Luke 1:17, And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Malachi 4:5, Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

John 1:21, And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

Deut. 18:15-18, The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; [16] According to all that thou desiredst of the Lord thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. [17] And the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. [18] I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

  

    John then began to point them to the prophecy of Isaiah (Isa. 40:3) to show them he was only the forerunner of Christ and the one who would identify the Son of God (Jn. 1:23).

Isaiah 40:3, The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

John 1:23, He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

  

We learn from these passages (Jn. 1:1-23) that:

               a. John was a lamp, but not the light.

               b. John was a voice, but not the Word.

               c. John was a prophet, but not That Prophet.

               d. John was blessed (Lk. 1:5-25), but he was not the Christ.

         2.   Jesus is the Christ, the Lamb of God (Jn. 1:29-36)

After explaining that he was not the one that the Jews were looking for, John continued to point them to the coming Messiah. God told John that the person on whom he saw the Spirit descend like a dove would be the Son of God (Jn. 1:33-34).

John had already baptized Jesus (Mt. 3:13-17) and knew that he was the Christ. The next day when he saw Jesus coming, he turned and pointed to Jesus and basically said, "There He is! He is the Lamb of God!" (Jn. 1:29, 35)

   B.  THE TESTIMONY OF GOD THE FATHER (Jn. 1:29-36)

God, the Father, also bore witness that Jesus was the Son of God.  He did this in two different ways.

         1.  He Revealed it by a Sign.

God told John the Baptist that the person on whom he saw the Spirit descend like a dove was the Son of God. All four gospels record the Spirit descending on Jesus like a dove (Mt. 3:16; Mk. 1:10; Lk. 3:22; and Jn. 1:33).

Matthew 3:16, And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

Mark 1:10, And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

Luke 3:22, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

John 1:33, And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

         2.  He Revealed it by Statement.

God also revealed Christ's identity by telling John orally at the baptism of Jesus that this was His beloved Son (Mt. 3:17; Mk. 1:11; and Lk. 3:22).

Matthew 3:17, And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mark 1:11, And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Luke 3:22, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

              a. The Testimony of Scripture is More Reliable Then the Voice of God From Heaven.

2 Peter 1:15-21, Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. [16] For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. [17] For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. [18] And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. [19] We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: [20] Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. [21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

               b. The Origin of Scripture is Inspired of God Not Mere Men; The Apostles and First Century NT Prophets Regarded the NT Writings as Scripture!

2 Tim. 3:16-17, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Peter 3:15, And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

2 Peter 3:16, As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.   

1 Cor. 2:13, Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

   C.  THE TESTIMONY OF OTHERS

There were also others that testified to the fact that Jesus was the Son of God throughout the book of John.

            1. Nathanael: “Thou art the Son of God” (Jn. 1:49).

            2. Peter: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Jn.6:69).

            3. Martha: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of God” (Jn. 11:27).

            4. Thomas: “My Lord and my God” (Jn. 20:28).

            5. John: “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (Jn. 20:31).            

            6. Jesus: “I am the Son of God” (Jn. 10:36).

Conclusion:

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and He fulfilled His office as the Lamb of God. He died for our sins exactly as the Scriptures foretold He would and in full concert with his own predictions. John the Baptist introduced the Lord Jesus as the “Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” We can believe the testimony of God, John the Baptist, and many others!

Two thousand years ago Jesus paid for my sins fully, and in August of 1990, I actually humbled myself before God acknowledging my sinfulness and need for Jesus Christ. God forgave me because of my trust in Jesus Christ as my Lamb who took responsibility for my sins. So, the Lord Jesus is not only God’s provided Lamb, but he is also the Lamb for me. What about you?

Elements of Effective Ministry

Acts 14:19-28

Theme: Ministry/Service

Thesis: The elements of Paul and Barnabas’ ministry provide a good model for our Christian service today. Serve Christ with dedication, initiative, industry, thoroughness, and accountability.

Introduction:

It is good to look around at other Christians, ministries, and churches to learn how we can serve God most effectively. Yet, to see Christians and churches doing the same ministry in different ways is healthy and refreshing. The methods will change with time, peoples, and technology, but the objectives should remain the same. Each servant of God must follow Him step by step as He leads!

The best way to prepare and evaluate one’s service for Christ is to compare it with the Word of God. God’s principles are the key. God gives us several ministry models throughout the NT, and this passage in Acts 14 is one of them. It portrays for us some elements of effective ministry.

Message:

I.                Dedication: Suffering Persecution for the Cause of Christ (14:19-20).

A.    Dedication refers to being committed to God’s purpose and the associated tasks regardless of the required effort or the fierceness of the opposition. Half-hearted commitment will never suffice in the Lord’s work.

B.    Paul accepted opposition as normal

1.Paul was willing to be misunderstood

2.Paul accepted suffering as normal

3.Paul continued his work undistracted

C.    Take a handful of promises and press on in the work of God

1.Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you (Matt. 5:11-12).

2.If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified (1 Pet. 4:14). 

II.             Initiative: Preaching and Teaching the Gospel from city to city (14:21).

A.    Initiative is the capability of assessing what is required and independently pursuing it. Such servants do not act without God; they act with courage on what they know God requires. They are responsive, resourceful, and enterprising; they aren’t waiting around for God to say “go” again. Slothfulness and sluggishness are out of step with service to Christ.

B.    They Knew What Christ Required of Them and Threw Themselves Into the Work

1.Street preaching

2.Individual witnessing—God has already given the mandate; we must go!

3.Gospel conversations—Look for ways to get into a witnessing situation.

C.    They went to the people, cities, and regional centers first to Evangelize

1.Effective evangelism is usually a combination of many factors. Do not rely on a single method; employ multiple strategies. Be creative.

2.Develop a regular visitation night. This is always a part of an effective outreach plan.

3.Staffing for evangelism.  Some churches have individuals devoted to evangelism ministries. It is still important to emphasize, however, that evangelism is every one’s responsibility.

III.           Labor: Servicing the Disciples and New Churches (14:21-23).

A.    Industrious is the motivation and drive to work and labor in the gospel ministry. Ministry is not the place for the lazy or lover of conveniences. God uses servants who are not afraid of hard work and the demanding efforts associated with discipleship, education, training, and leadership development.

B.    Confirming—to establish, strengthen, and render more firm

1.Affording companionship

2.Answering questions

3.Beginner discipleship—Assurance, Bible, Church, Devotions, Evangelism, Fellowship, and Giving

C.    Exhorting—to entreat, instruct, and admonish

1.Regarding inward disciplines—prayer, fasting, and meditation

2.Regarding outward disciplines—simplicity, solitude, and submission

3.Regarding corporate disciplines—confession, worship, and generosity

4.The exhorter knows that mastery of remedial disciplines promotes growth and spiritual advancement

D.    Ordaining—to appoint to leadership by vote

1.Leaders were prepared and placed

2.Formal recognition of these individuals divine calling to ministry

E.     Commending—to entrust them to the Lord’s care and guidance

1.Christ takes immediate and full leadership of the church

2.The leadership and the church are responsible for discerning and executing Christ’s plan and will

IV.            Thoroughness: Revisiting Cities To Conduct Evangelistic Campaigns (14:24-25).

A.    Thoroughness is caring enough to give attention to details and ensuring the task is completed; giving the appearance an effort is being made to evangelize will not reach out to “every creature.” Token effort may soothe our conscious, but it does not please our Lord.

B.    Evangelism: Gospel preaching/witnessing

1.Our objective is to tell anyone and everyone about Jesus Christ

2.The fruitfulness and results are the Spirit of God’s work

C.    Response: Hardened city—Perga

1.Some people and places are unresponsive to the gospel

2.Seek to move the individual hard cases along the continuum to faith—antagonistic atheist, soft atheist, agnostic, unsure skeptic, unconcerned, observer, explorer, receptive, and responsive.

D.    Recourse: Not all people and places are equally receptive, hardened, or fruitful

1.Move on to other opportunities; don’t be discouraged, frustrated, nor become too fixated on a hard case

2.Maintain a prayer list of hard cases and serve them when you can

V.              Accountability: Returning to Sending Church to Give a Report (14:26-28).

A.    Accountability is simply recognizing a responsibility to God, our church, and others; irresponsibility is problematic and incompatible with ministry.

B.    An Expression of Accountability

1.Christians should make deep commitments to Christ and be held accountable for following through

2.Christians should be trained and unleashed into reproductive ministry

3.Accountability helps to stimulate actions

4.Follow up on decisions, commitments, and assignments is a vital part of personal and ministry growth and development

C.    A Recognition of Authority—these extraordinary servants were still submissive to their sending church

1.Even Spiritual Believers need accountability

2.Even Accomplished Believers require further accountability

D.    A Report on the Work that Has Been Accomplished

1.This can be in the form of a written statement

2.The back side of a visitation card could be used to report results

3.Keeping a record of attendance for Sunday School

E.     A Chance to Rejoice in the Lord’s Accomplishments

F.     A Time of Reunion and Reinforcement of Values, Vision, and Strategies

Conclusion: To be more effective in ministry, serve Christ with dedication, initiative, industry, thoroughness, and accountability. While there is nothing wrong with finding good men of God who will share their years of wisdom and experience, God should always be consulted first and foremost. It is good to ask ministry friends for advice about this ministry or that program, but we must personally trust the Spirit of God to use Bible principles to guide each of us in our service for Christ.

Merely adopting an idea or mimicking another servant’s ministry, program or style is never recommended. Each of us are unique servants of the Lord with our own blend of gifts, skills, knowledge, and motivations; it is correct to embrace this reality and trust the Spirit of God to work through us. We all have different co-laborers with different skill combinations in various locations with multiplied non-identical opportunities; this too must be accepted as God’s calling and allocation to each of us as individual ministers of grace.

What can characterize each ministry is dedication, initiative, industry, thoroughness, and accountability. We each will enjoy differing productivity and fruitfulness, but we all can cultivate the same character qualities for ourselves personally and for the work of the Lord. May our service for Christ never ever be marked by half-heartedness, slothfulness, laziness, token effort, and irresponsibility!

When Pain Drives Us to Our Knees

1 Samuel 1:7-10

Theme: View your painful circumstances as a grace from God designed to turn your heart more perfectly towards Him.

Could it be that God actually has a use for pain and times of sorrow? This life certainly is a veil of tears this much cannot be denied. The question is how will we handle this reality? Some try to escape it using myriads of means to get as far away from the hurt as they can. There are those who merely pretend the pain does not exist while yet others seek to medicate their pain or render themselves numb. As Believers, we know that God uses painful experiences to draw us to Himself. He always has our best interest at heart and quite intentionally employs even pain among His multiplied graces. Let’s take a look at how this is illustrated through the lives of Elkanah and Hannah.

SOMETIMES THOSE WE LOVE CAN ADD TO OUR PAIN (1SAM. 1:7-8)

1 Samuel 1:7-8, And as he [Elkanah] did so year by year, when she [Hannah] went up to the house of the Lord, so she [Peninnah] provoked her [Hannah]; therefore she wept, and did not eat. ⁸ Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?^[1]

MacDonald noted the following concerning the pain and growing tension in Elkanah’s dysfunctional home,

As was the case with Leah and Rachel, one wife was fruitful while the other was barren. This caused rivalry in the home because, although Hannah was childless, she was more loved by her husband. When the family traveled to Shiloh … yearly to celebrate one of the feasts, Hannah would receive a double portion of the peace offering (vv. 3–5). But this drew forth stinging taunts from Peninnah. Year after year her barbs cut deeper and deeper, until finally, in desperation, Hannah took the matter before the Lord at the tabernacle.^[2]

Furthermore, The Bible Knowledge Commentary indicated how futile Elkanah’s favoritism towards Hannah was, and how it further inflamed Peninnah’s belittling attacks stating,

In fact he gave her twice what he gave Peninnah, his second wife, when they took their offerings to the Lord at Shiloh, the place some 15 miles north of Ramah where Joshua had located the tabernacle (Josh. 18:1). This antagonized Peninnah, so she belittled her rival Hannah (1 Sam. 1:6–7). One thinks of the jealousy which Jacob’s bigamy wrought in Rachel’s heart (Gen. 30:1). None of Elkanah’s assurances of devotion had any beneficial effect upon Hannah and her sorrow (1 Sam. 1:8). Her only resort was to cast herself entirely on the mercies of God.^[3]

It is here that we have opportunity to peer into the soul of Elkanah….

      1.  Elkanah’s Final Question Allows us to Peer Deeply into His Own Heart.

1 Samuel 1:8 says, “Am not I better to thee than ten sons?” Basically he was threatened by the troubles his family faced and the massive discomfort his beloved Hannah was grinding through. He definitely felt that his efforts at loving Hannah were being rejected and ignored leaving him somewhat frustrated and bewildered. In some respects, they were…but, superficial efforts seldom provide meaningful help or remedy. In this very painful moment Hannah craved empathy and sincere understanding from her husband. The last things she needed was Elkanah’s self-centered approach (evidenced in his series of questions in verse 8) to her problem. Insecure people can quickly make a situation about themselves while ignoring the glaring needs in their mate’s life….  You see, without their individual security intact, they look to the relationship itself to define their current value. When threaten by uncertainty and relational challenges, these “individual insecurities are likely to emerge and take precedence over the crisis that needs to be resolved,” says Dr. Gunther Ph.D. author of Rediscovering Love.

Though sincere, Elkanah was trying to tell Hannah that she had no reason to feel so sad since she had him. For us men this likely sounds uncomfortably familiar? Dr. Gunther further observed in an article entitled, Insecurity: Love’s most potent saboteur (Posted Jan 31, 2018),

As insecurity increases in any of us, so do the symptoms associated with it. Anxiety, paranoia, fears of loss, instability, and an increasing need for reassurance begin to diminish our capacity to think and act effectively. Even if the less insecure partner in the relationship does everything right to help the other feel safe, he or she will eventually pull away if not successful. 

Yes, Elkanah’s self-centered focus obscures the challenges his wife Hannah is drudging through; her feelings of frustration, failure, fear, abandonment, anxiety, conflict, and inadequacy are nearly drowning her….

      2.  Elkanah has just Unwittingly added to Hannah’s Emotional Turmoil. 

She was probably on a guilt trip already for not being able to handle her negative emotions, and he had just intensified her problem. It’s obvious from what happened next that his approach didn’t ease her pain whatsoever.

As men particularly, we should not be threatened by our wives emotional states but should learn to handle their mood swings with empathy, sensitivity, and understanding.

This is a difficult task for most men, as it was for Elkanah. We’re basically “doers.” When our wives become emotional, we want to fix the problem. Our natural tendency is to be threatened and to blame ourselves for what is happening. (Getz)

Most of us as men need to develop our “listening skills.”  This involves getting beyond the cerebral aspects of the problem and trying to understand feelings. We must understand that most women already know intuitively what they are experiencing sometimes doesn’t make sense. In fact, they may even feel guilty for being so irrational. In other words, they already know, or at least believe, they “shouldn’t feel” the way they are feeling. To be told what they already have concluded only intensifies their guilt and fuels their tendency to be defensive. What they want is a sincere listening ear. (Getz)

James 1:19, counsels us to “be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” “Swift to hear,” portrays a person who instantly and humbly receives God’s counsel and admonition. They possess a highly teachable attitude and are keenly attentive to the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit (Js. 1:21b). A readiness and willingness to listen is key not only to a healthy walk with the Lord, but also to human relationships. Listening empathically requires a commitment to truly knowing and understanding others. Empathetic listening is paying attention to another person with empathy [emotional identification, compassion, feeling, insight]. One basic principle is to “seek to understand, before being understood.” (S. Covey) In addition, the most important skill you can offer is empathy, which requires a willingness to put yourself in the shoes of the other person so they feel heard in a non-judgmental way. Empathy is the grace note of empathic listening, as it allows the speaker to feel safe, acknowledged, and valued. (B. Davenport) The Scriptures repeatedly commends the skill of listening well (1Sam 3:10; Prov. 12:50; 15:32; 25:12; Luke 2:46; 10:39).

CERTAINLY, TURNING TO GOD IN OUR PAIN IS WISE (1SAM. 1:9-10)

1 Samuel 1:9-10, So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord. ¹⁰ And she was ^†in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. ^[4]

Seemingly forgotten of God, an object of reproach and scorn, without giving in to feelings of resentment, unable to tell her trouble to anyone else, she now turns to him who is “a Refuge for the oppressed in times of trouble.” (Ps. 9:9). While reserving turning to God for a last resort is not recommended, it is wise to look to Him when the bottom drops out. God should be our first option…the One we gladly run to when life does not make sense.

God-connecting prayer is the best strategy at such painful times; a heart of grief coupled with the loneliness it usually causes, can often lead to ‘the pouring out our soul before the Lord.’ What a helpful power sorrow is in a world like this! Such times are pregnant with fruitful potential and power through God’s gracious workings in our conditions and hearts. And how blessed are such fruits produced through God’s grace! Dearly beloved, do not hesitate to rush into the Throne of Grace to access the help, grace, and mercy you need as you recognize your needs.

Psalm 55:22, Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Hosea 2:15, And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.   

1 Peter 5:7, Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

No one understands your heart ache better than the Lord God; He alone knows how to help and assist in the best ways possible. Our Lord Jesus certainly knows our sorrows and griefs more fully than we do. He has worked through every possible form of pain and suffering we could ever encounter. Turn to this Savior and Lord when confusion persists, the diagnosis is negative, the news is not helpful, the situation just got worst, you just can’t wait another moment, answers aren’t enough, and when you are even afraid to hope again. Turning to God in your pain is never a waist of effort and time; it is a pure act of utter dependence on the faithfulness, wisdom, love, and power of God our Father.

OUR PAINS SHOULD DRIVE US BELIEVERS TO OUR TRUE REFUGE (1SAM. 1:9-10)

1 Samuel 1:9-10, So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord. ¹⁰ And she was ^†in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.^[5]

The family was in a mess, her rival appeared to be winning their perpetual conflict, there was no one to offer meaningful counsel, her husband did not take the time to really grapple with what she was experiencing, still she yearned for a child as she had for years now, and God had not taken occasion to grant her children. Hannah is desperate, lonely, broken, and fearful…yet she cherishes a notion that God will hear her cries and respond to her faith. So 1Sam. 1:9-10 says, “Hannah rose up…the temple of the LORD…and she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.”

That is correct, instead of becoming angry with God and resenting his plan, she turned to the Lord and leaned into the relationship knowing He is able, merciful, purposeful, gracious, and empathic! When she may have been justified to walk away from faith, God, the Bible, and worship…this dear child of God clung to Him like life itself. What an example she is to us…to me…today.

    1.  Pain can Drive us to Our Knees...towards God.   Vs. 9

This was a painful cry for help. One of the great benefits that accompanies this kind of emotional pain is that it "drives us to our knees." This is what happened to Hannah. 

          A.  She Had Little Fellowship and Comfort from Her Family.  Vs. 9

It is a great thing when we can find reassurance and support from loving family members and through our church home. Still when the gentle or heavy hand of God has been plainly recognized in a trial, the soul needs more than the prayers of others. Heart and flesh then cry out for the living God.

          B.  She Longs For Time Alone with the True and Living God.

After years of silently waiting on God followed by wonder, doubt, occasional hope, and corresponding despair filling out her experience, she rises in pursuit of His presence, help, and deliverance. When our hearts a weary, we are correct to turn to the Lord even more so. The corporate worship is great but sometimes not enough…our sense of need for God yet grows acute. Stirred by the realization her husband is ill equipped to understand the depth of her pain, she correctly seeks refuge in God through heart-felt urgent cries to Him. Beloved, this is one way we cope when life is too much! There is no room for internal conflict with the plan of God, it is not time to abandon oneself to despair, and it is not merely time for others to pray for us down at the church. We need the Lord God Almighty for ourselves…our souls long for Jehovah God…like never before we must have Him…the weight of our burden drives us to His Throne room for help, grace, and mercy. Weary yes, but yet pursuing our great God!

     2.  Pain Can Drive us to the Sanctuary.   Vs. 9

On one occasion, while worshiping in Shiloh, Hannah opened her heart before God and cried out to Him for help. While we as New Testament Christians are not limited to a place of worship, certainly the house of the Lord should be among the places we get in touch with the Lord.

Trials can still lead us to God, not trusting in our own righteousness, but in the true and living God. It is our desire as God’s children learning through our trials to seek the house of God, and there, plead for his mercy, and find relief to lay down our burdens. Often in the sanctuary the Word of God can clarify, it can examine the heart and motives, it can inspire real faith, it can deepen trust that transcends our pains and sorrows, it can instruct us in how to proceed, it can keep us focused on the hope of the Lord. It is in the sanctuary that we can hear testimonies that give us reason to hope and trust the Lord anew…move us to sing and worship God for who He is instead of for what we want from Him. Most importantly the sanctuary must be a place where we see God, interact quite intentionally with Him, and express to Him directly our deepest pains, sorrows, and fears. The Psalmist said it well declaring, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” (Ps 42:1).

So many forsake the Lord when life hurts…. Such temptations will ever be there, but we must decide to cling to God no matter what. This account details how Hannah did it. What about you and me? Is our resolve to cling to God punctuated in our minds and hearts? Have we made such commitments to the Lord? Have you elected Jehovah God as your first resort instead of your last option? Is quitting still among your viable options when life does not make sense?

The steadfast counsel of the Apostle Paul is so relevant here: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1Cor 15:58). Couple this with the thoughts of the wise Psalmist who reminds us that Jehovah God is our Refuge.

Psalm 46

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.

¹     God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

²     Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

³     Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

⁴     There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,

The holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

⁵     God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:

God shall help her, and that right early.

⁶     The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved:

He uttered his voice, the earth melted.

⁷     The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

⁸     Come, behold the works of the Lord,

What desolations he hath made in the earth.

⁹     He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth;

He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder;

He burneth the chariot in the fire.

¹⁰    Be still, and know that I am God:

I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

¹¹    The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.^[6]

Yes, beloved, the Lord is our place of safety and protection from the enemies of our souls. He alone is the Source of our strength and power in troubling times. View your pains as a grace from God designed to turn your heart more entirely to Him. Let your pain drive you to your knees…to your refuge. Bring Him your tears, sorrows, yearnings, and fears. He is able; there is no need to hesitate. Go to Him even now.

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^[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 1 Sa 1:7–8). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[2] MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 297). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

^[3] Merrill, E. H. (1985). 1 Samuel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 433). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^[4] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 1 Sa 1:9–10). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[5] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 1 Sa 1:9–10). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[6] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ps 46). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.