RPG Adults
SEEKING GOD WHEN TROUBLED
LORD’S DAY, MARCH 12
1 Samuel 1:9-18
James 5:7-18
“Is any among you afflicted?
let him pray…”
SEEKING GOD WHEN TROUBLED
The picture given of the family of Elkanah was not one of a perfect family living in harmony. It was a picture of a family with its share of trials and troubles. To many, troubles and heartache would be reason not to pray. Our prayers are subject to our moods with “I am not in the mood to pray” being a common statement. Hannah’s sorrow took away her appetite for food, but still drove her to seek God in prayer!
“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore” (1 Sam 1:10). The provocations of Peninnah about her condition in life troubled her soul. Hannah’s course of action amidst the pressures and taunts from her co-wife and the internal turmoil and sorrow of her soul was the wisest any person could make. “Take it to the LORD in prayer.” She had no heart for feasting, but certainly had the heart to pray. Her prayer, though made in a public place, was a secret prayer, not spoken with well-ordered words, but from an earnest spirit focused on God. The times that they went to the tabernacle at Shiloh were the times that her adversary mocked and taunted her the most, but she went all the same. It was the place appointed of God to meet with Him, and thus she would bear with the anguish and get her opportunity to appear before the LORD with her petition.
“…I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD” (1 Sam 1:15). The censure of Eli, though unjust to Hannah, tells of the times of the judges. Men would be intoxicated and lack self-control in the house and presence of the LORD. Hannah prayed long and earnestly, and Eli watched and thought she was drunk. Things that drove men to seek solace in wine and strong drink drove Hannah to prayer. In her prayer, she vowed a vow. By faith, she voluntarily promised a special offering of thankfulness for answer to her prayer and willingly bound herself to devote her child to God’s honour and service willingly (Eccles 5:4-5). Having committed her petition to God, her burden was lifted, and she then “went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad” (1 Sam 1:18).
THOUGHT: “Singing if my way is clear, praying if the path be drear.”
PRAYER: Father, may I always keep close to Thee through prayer.