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A Heart for God

A Heart for God Often Begins with Pain

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1: 1-8

Judges 21:25: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

I. A heart for God can begin with the pain of provocation.

A. 1 Samuel begins with the words, “There was a certain man.” This man Elkanah is not going to be the king everyone is waiting for. So, instead of Elkanah, the author focuses on one of Elkanah’s wives, the humble and barren (vs. 2) Hannah. What was the cause of Hannah’s infertility and pain? We see the source of her pain in both vs. 5 and vs. 6. We read in both verses, “The LORD had closed her womb.” God was responsible for not giving Hannah a baby. Why did God not give this righteous woman a baby? Is God cruel?

B. God’s tendency is to do His greatest work when we are totally unable to do anything about our pain. Hannah was definitely helpless and hopeless in her ability to get pregnant. But when we’ve got nothing, no strength, no hope, no resources, God loves to stretch His hand from heaven and do what is impossible for us. Elkanah had taken a second wife, Penninah, because Hannah could not produce an heir for him. We read in vs. 6 that the fruitful Peninnah provoked Hannah. She mocked Hannah. She was so cruel that Hannah would weep and not eat.

II. A heart for God can begin with the pain of pity.

A. The Lord had closed Hannah’s womb. This led her rival Peninnah to mock Hannah. And it led Hannah’s husband Elkanah to pity Hannah. Sometimes, it’s nice to receive the pity of those who love us. It’s good to experience sympathy and empathy in our pain. But Elkanah’s pity was painful for Hannah to hear (vs. 8). Essentially, Elkanah was saying, “Sure, it’s sad that God won’t let you have a child. But look on the bright side. You’ve got a great husband!” His pity just brought more pain to Hannah as she thought about the children that she could not have and that she longed for.

III. A heart for God must lead from pain to prayer.

A. Where did this closed womb from God lead Hannah? It did not lead her to bitterness against God. It did not lead her to despair. Instead, this closed womb from God led Hannah to pray. “If God has closed my womb, then maybe God might also open my womb. If God is responsible for my pain, then maybe God might be responsible for relieving my pain and bringing me great joy!” Her pain had driven her to God, and she would not let go of God until she got an answer to her prayer. Hannah wept in vs. 7 and notice what went along with her weeping in vs. 10: “She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.” She prayed. Sometimes, we do not pray in words. We pray in tears.

B. Psalm 126:6: He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” If you weep over people who are without faith in your prayers, your faithful prayers will eventually bear fruit. Your tears in prayer are like seeds that will come to fruition in the lives of those you care for. So, keep praying.  

Application:
Don’t give up. Keep bringing your pain to God in prayer.

Sources:
The book of 1 Samuel
Commentaries on 1 Samuel by Robert Bergen, Dale Ralph Davis, Tim Chester, and Peter Leithart.

SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Do you have people who regularly provoke you and bring you into a painful place like Peninnah brought Hannah? What is the best thing to do with that pain?

2. How might Elkanah have been more sensitive to his wife’s pain? What might he have said and done differently? Who are some other women in the Bible who were barren who brought forth a child who was significant in the history of our salvation? Why does God often do His greatest work through the children of previously barren women?

3. What is the result for us when God answers our prayers that come from a painful place? Have you seen how God has used your past pain to bring you a heart for Him and to grow your passion for prayer?