Waiting When You’re Desperate

There was a man named Elkanah who lived in Ramah in the region of Zuph in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, of Ephraim. Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not.  1 Samuel 1:1-2 NLT

1. The Devil will use people to throw your need in your face. 

Each year Elkanah would travel to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord...On the days Elkanah presented his sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to Peninnah and each of her children. And though he loved Hannah, he would give her only one choice portion because the Lord had given her no children. So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children. Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat.  1 Samuel 1:3-7 NLT

2. Sometimes God puts you in a position that no one can solve your problem but Him. 

“Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?” 1 Samuel 1:8 NLT

3. When you are desperate, go to God in prayer!  He wants to be relied upon. 

Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle.  1 Samuel 1:9 NLT

4. Let it all out.  God’s power is made perfect through our weakness.

Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.  And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.”  1 Samuel 1:10-11 NLT

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”  2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

5. God will answer your prayer in a way you didn’t expect! 

As she was praying to the Lord, Eli watched her.  Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!” “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking..But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.” “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.”  “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.  1 Samuel 1:12-18 NLT

The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship the Lord once more. Then they returned home to Ramah. When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the Lord remembered her plea, and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.”  1 Samuel 1:19-20 NLT

6. Fulfill your promise to God.  

Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there.  1 Samuel 1:26-28 NLT

Message Notes:  The Holy Bible, New Living Translation.