Looking at God’s use
of emptiness for our eternal good and for His glory.
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As you look back on your life, what has caused
you to feel dry, weary, and empty?
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o
Death of a loved one. * Illness. * An unfulfilled want or need
o
Comparing yourself to others. * Unsure of your
niche. * Failure. * Life changes.
o
Others__________ Read, 1 Samuel 1:1-18
·
What contributed to Hannah’s emptiness? How did
her husband try to console her?
·
In what ways did Hannah change? Consider what
role trust and mature faith must have played.
·
Through what means does God strengthen our
faith?
·
How will a poorly fed faith lead to our increase
emptiness? Why?
When our schedule and habits don’t include feeding our faith
through daily Bible reading, prayer, and regular participation in worship, we
lose much of the peace and strength that God has for us. When we realize our
loss, we humbly and sincerely repent of our sin. God gives us His full
forgiveness and used His power to change us--- including our tendency to
neglect His Word.
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Read more of Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 1:19-28
and 2:18-21. What effect do you think the Lord’s closing of Hannah’s womb for
many years, and His later blessing of children, had on the faith life of
Hannah, Elkanah, Eli, and maybe even Peninnah?
Hannah seems to have lingered in her emptiness for years until finally;
ReplyDeleteIn the Lords Temple, Hannah had pored out her soul to the Lord. And the Lord remembered her. Her longing had come to an end. Her faith was restored.
After Hannah's prayer she did as
Psalm 27:14 instructs us to do.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
She also found confidence in,
Psalm 55:22,
Cast your cares on the Lord; and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.