WEBVTT

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 If you missed out last week, we did kick off a new series here at church in 1 Samuel.

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 Let me give you the shortest summary I can.

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 Basically, Hannah doesn't have a baby.

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 She's not real happy about it.

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 She prays, she gets one.

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 There's a bit more going on there, but hopefully you heard a bit more detail.

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 We're going to look at the second half of Hannah this week,

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 so hopefully you'll get enough of the picture to know where we're going.

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 But I'm going to pray and pray that God will help us to concentrate and focus as we get stuck in.

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 Father God, we do thank you for your word.

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 We thank you that you've given it to us so that we might know you.

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 And God, I want to ask that tonight you'd give us the humility to maybe recognize where we have reduced you

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 or where we've made you fit into the box that we want you to fit in.

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 And I pray that instead you might open our eyes to see you in all your majesty and splendor.

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 And God, I pray that having seen you, our lives might be lived in response to that.

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 Amen.

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 Sometimes in our exuberance, we can get a little bit overexcited about things.

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 I don't know if you remember a little while ago, KFC decided an experiment in health food was a good idea.

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 And they launched the burger without a bun.

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 It was basically a chicken patty, cheese, bacon, cheese, and then another piece of chicken.

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 It was amazing.

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 Hard to eat, but very good.

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 But I repeatedly, when that came out, told people that it was the best thing that has ever been invented.

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 Now, at the time, you know, I kind of meant it.

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 But in reality, I may have got a little bit excited.

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 There's probably one or two things that have been invented in the history of humans that are a little bit above the old KFC double down.

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 But sometimes we get overexcited.

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 I was trying to think of other examples here, and Tashi sprung to mind, but I couldn't think of one example.

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 Everything that Tashi says is potentially overexuberant.

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 And that's why it's so great to have you around, Tashi.

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 But I wonder if, as we read this prayer from Hannah, as Ali read it out for us, if you begin to feel like it's a little bit overstated.

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 It's a little bit overenthusiastic.

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 I mean, without playing down the genuine despair that we saw last week and the pain that Hannah was going through,

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 it's kind of like her whole world has changed.

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 But we know the story, and her whole world hasn't changed.

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 You know, she starts getting really excited.

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 She's saying things like,

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 The mighty are broken.

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 Those who stumbled find strength.

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 The barren woman has seven kids.

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 The woman with kids has none.

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 The hungry are well fed.

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 The full are hungry.

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 Like, it's like everything is different.

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 If we turn back just one page and a few years to Hannah's first prayer,

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 she's bitterly weeping.

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 She's crying out to God to look on her in affliction.

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 And now she's like exploding with joy.

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 It's like she's jumping on the spot because she's so excited about her life.

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 Now, again, it's a big deal that she was barren and now she's not.

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 That is significant.

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 But is that a sufficient reason for a prayer like this?

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 It's not.

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 And that's because it's not the reason for this prayer.

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 It would be understandable to assume that,

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 but Samuel being born is the occasion on which this prayer came out.

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 But it's not the basis for the prayer.

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 There's more going on for Hannah.

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 And there's a few clues in what we looked at last week.

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 If you remember in Hannah's prayer in chapter one,

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 what she prays for is God to remember her.

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 She sees her situation in a bigger picture.

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 She sees her situation as part of the whole nation that needs to be remembered by God,

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 a nation that thinks God's love has wandered away.

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 And so she sees her little situation as part of a bigger work that God is doing.

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 Now, if you look with me in chapter one, just flick back quickly to verse 23.

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 Elkanah, this is Hannah's husband, says something quite profound in verse 23.

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 This is when Hannah has had the boy, and then instead of going back up to go to the temple,

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 she says, I'm going to wait a little bit longer until the boy is ready to be handed over.

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 And he says,

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 Do what seems best to you, Elkanah, her husband, told her.

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 Stay here until you have weaned him.

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 Only may the Lord make good his word.

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 Now, I don't know if you noticed that when it was read out last week,

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 but up to this point in 1 Samuel, God hasn't spoken at any point.

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 It's been Hannah speaking, and then the other wife, Peninnah, speaking,

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 and Elkanah has spoken, and the priest Eli has spoken,

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 but God has not spoken.

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 So what does Elkanah mean when he says, establish his word?

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 I mean, Hannah's the one who made a promise.

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 What he's getting at is that there is a bigger word that God has made.

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 There is a bigger plan that is unfolding through history,

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 and both Elkanah and Hannah, it's catchy,

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 both Elkanah and Hannah recognize that this little situation in their family

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 is part of something bigger.

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 They might not get every part of how significant it is,

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 but they can see that something extra is going on.

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 Because at this point in history, Israel has almost lost sight of who God is.

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 I mean, it's not that many generations back that they were rescued dramatically

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 out of slavery in Egypt, that the Red Sea parted,

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 and they wandered through on dry land.

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 It's not that many generations ago that they went to the mountain in the desert,

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 and God came down, and the mountain was shaking,

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 and there was lightning and thunder.

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 I mean, they're still kind of going through the motions of worshiping God.

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 They're still kind of acting like God is important for them as a country.

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 But if you look closely, and we're going to find out next week even more,

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 even the worship that they're doing,

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 even the church services they're holding have become corrupt and dishonest.

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 They've basically forgotten who God is.

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 They've gone from being people who were scared of Him, who feared Him,

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 to being people who kind of treat Him like He doesn't matter,

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 and there's nothing He can do about it.

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 Israel's forgotten their God, but in Hannah, we have God pushing His way back in.

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 God is making sure that He is remembered,

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 and He is making sure that Hannah knows, and we know,

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 that God will keep His word.

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 God will keep the promises that He has made to His people.

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 Now again, chances are that Hannah had no idea just how significant her son was in God's plan.

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 But she does seem to understand that this is about more than her little family.

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 She seems to have at least a glimpse.

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 God has revealed Himself to Hannah,

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 and this prayer is not just about Samuel.

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 This is Hannah having seen God and responding.

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 It's her pouring out her heart, her heart overflowing with excitement,

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 because she has seen God again.

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 Having started to maybe forget Him a little bit, along with everyone else,

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 she has seen Him again.

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 And the question for us tonight, the thing that I want you to wrestle with,

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 is have you settled for a smaller vision of God?

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 Have you, like Israel, progressively taken this exciting God that you started following,

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 and just trimmed Him down until it was a little bit more convenient?

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 Until it didn't really impact the bits of your life that it didn't want to impact?

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 If you think back to when you chose to follow God,

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 and the joy and fear and absolute commitment you had at that point,

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 have you, like Israel, shrunk God down,

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 so that He doesn't actually make a difference to you?

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 Well, tonight, Hannah wants to show you in this prayer,

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 and God wants to show you three things about Himself

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 that will change your life.

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 Firstly, God stands alone.

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 Look again at verse 1 with me.

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 Our God stands alone.

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 Even the fact that Hannah calls Him our God back then,

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 and we come to church tonight and call Him our God now,

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 says something about His significance.

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 He's not constrained by time.

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 He didn't exist for one generation of people.

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 He's not limited to one nation.

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 It's not like just one family got really excited about Him

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 and kept teaching their kids.

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 Our God is bigger than that.

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 Our God is not like any other God.

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 He's all-consuming and all-encompassing.

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 Now, that might sound like a kind of obvious statement for us in church tonight,

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 the idea that God stands alone.

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 I mean, in our context, at most,

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 there's probably a small handful of gods that we would acknowledge.

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 We might talk about the God of Muslims, the God of Hindus,

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 the God of...

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 There's a handful that we would probably acknowledge as gods-ish.

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 But for Israel, every nation had an absolute multitude of gods.

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 Gods for sun, gods for water, gods for farming, gods for fertility.

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 They would invent gods every other day.

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 And so Israel is surrounded by this catalogue of gods.

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 And Hannah suddenly gets this picture that her God is not like those other gods.

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 Her God stands alone.

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 He is not to be compared to these other gods.

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 He is not even in the same category.

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 And maybe this is more poignant for us than we think.

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 It might not be that we use the language of gods or worship

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 when we look at the things in our world.

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 But it could be that there are just as many things in our culture today

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 that we worship instead of God.

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 Or that we are convinced are more important than God.

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 It could be that there are just as many fake gods now as there were then.

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 Israel's trap in Hannah's day wasn't the trap of outright rejecting God.

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 It was the trap of diluting him.

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 Of rocking up to church and going,

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 Yes, God, you're the most important.

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 God, please help me with this issue.

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 But then turning around and praying to the farming God as well

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 just to cover their bases.

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 It's not that they'd walk away from God altogether

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 because that's obviously wrong.

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 But they would just grab these extra things and add them in.

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 They'd do what he asked them

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 but then they would dilute him down.

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 And I wonder if we do something similar.

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 When we say we're following God,

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 when we say we treasure Jesus,

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 have we reduced down our infinite creator

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 to the point where in actual fact in our lives

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 he's just one of the choices among a whole bunch of valid options

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 for us to go after, for us to obey,

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 for us to treasure and value.

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 When it comes to religion,

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 one of the ongoing conversations is always comparison.

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 Which religion is best?

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 Which one is most helpful?

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 Most right?

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 Which God is most impressive?

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 Most powerful?

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 And as Christians, we get in on these conversations.

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 We say our God is best because...

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 But even in our need to defend him in those conversations,

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 I wonder if that says that we have a slightly small view of him.

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 We actually do look at our God next to these other gods

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 and feel the need to compare statistics.

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 But to even think of comparing our God to anyone or anything else,

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 you need to reduce him so much

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 that he no longer resembles God as he has revealed himself in Scripture.

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 Now, it's not to say there's not a place for those sorts of conversations,

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 for religious debate,

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 but you've got to realize that you're not comparing apples with apples,

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 so to speak.

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 You're not even comparing apples with oranges.

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 It's almost like comparing apples with people.

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 And that doesn't even do it justice.

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 The gods that we compare our God to

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 are not even in the same category.

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 Hannah finally grasps,

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 surrounded by an infinite number of gods,

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 promising an infinite number of things,

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 that there is no one like our God.

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 There is no one who compares.

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 And Hannah celebrates three things specifically

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 that make him unique.

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 Firstly, his holiness.

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 It's there in verse 2.

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 There is no one holy like the Lord,

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 none who is so pure and perfect and just.

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 God is set apart from everything else that exists.

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 These other gods are within creation.

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 They're limited by the amount of time that creation stays around,

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 but God is set apart from it

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 because he is too pure and perfect.

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 And there is nothing that rightfully sits next to God.

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 He is holy and set apart.

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 Second thing, he is a rock.

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 Again, verse 2,

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 there is no rock like our God.

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 He is a mighty fortress,

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 a secure, immovable, unchanging foundation,

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 and in him people find refuge.

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 There is no storm too powerful for God.

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 There is no trial, no opposition,

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 which he does not have complete control over.

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 He is stronger and more powerful than anything else

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 because he made everything else.

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 Because every power that exists is from him,

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 from his power.

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 He is holy.

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 He is a rock like no other.

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 And thirdly, he is a deliverer.

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 There in verse 1.

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 For I delight in your deliverance.

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 Our God is the God who saves people.

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 He is the rescuing God.

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 He is the God who rescued Joseph from his brothers.

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 He is the God who rescued Isaac and his whole family from famine.

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 The God who rescued Israel from Egypt.

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 And the God who rescued Hannah from her barrenness.

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 And even though we haven't seen it yet,

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 God is the God who will use Samuel

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 to continue his plan to rescue people for himself.

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 No other God can claim this.

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 No other God has delivered on his promises.

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 No other God has rescued like the God of Israel,

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 like the God of Scripture, like our God.

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 No other God answers prayer like our God.

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 No other God looks down on Hannah's situation

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 and cares like our God.

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 And because Hannah gets this,

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 because she sees her holy, secure, mighty, delivering God,

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 standing alone and without equal,

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 everything changes.

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 This prayer is not a response to her life being completely different.

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 This prayer is a response to her vision of God being clear.

00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:10.919
 Look with me at verse 3.

00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:13.819
 Do not keep talking so proudly,

00:16:13.819 --> 00:16:16.099
 or let your mouth speak such arrogance.

00:16:16.659 --> 00:16:18.679
 For the Lord is a God who knows,

00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:20.599
 and by him deeds are weighed.

00:16:21.179 --> 00:16:23.120
 The bows of the warriors are broken,

00:16:23.339 --> 00:16:25.939
 but those who stumbled are armed with strength.

00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:28.959
 Those who are full hire themselves out for food,

00:16:29.179 --> 00:16:31.059
 but those who are hungry hunger no more.

00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:33.719
 She who is barren has borne seven children,

00:16:34.079 --> 00:16:36.559
 but she who has had many sons pines away.

00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:39.179
 The Lord brings death and makes alive.

00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:41.299
 He brings down to the grave and raises up.

00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:43.500
 The Lord sends poverty and wealth.

00:16:43.719 --> 00:16:45.039
 He humbles and he exalts.

00:16:45.479 --> 00:16:47.079
 He raises the poor from the dust

00:16:47.079 --> 00:16:49.079
 and lifts the needy from the ash heap.

00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:50.379
 He seats them with princes,

00:16:50.699 --> 00:16:53.319
 and he has them inherit a throne of honor.

00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:57.059
 For the foundations of the earth are the Lord's.

00:16:57.500 --> 00:17:00.619
 Upon them he has set the world.

00:17:02.299 --> 00:17:03.959
 Having seen God,

00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:08.860
 her world and her situation are redefined.

00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:11.100
 Having seen God,

00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:14.900
 Israel's situation is suddenly brought into sharp focus.

00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:17.440
 She no longer fears the taunts of her enemies.

00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:20.340
 She no longer fears the woman who teases her

00:17:20.340 --> 00:17:21.420
 for not having children.

00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:24.140
 She now defiantly reminds them,

00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:27.779
 you will answer to my God.

00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:32.420
 You will answer to the God who knows all things,

00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:34.240
 the God who is ever-present,

00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:38.580
 the God who is the rightful judge of all creation,

00:17:38.860 --> 00:17:40.200
 because it's his.

00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:46.400
 Suddenly, Hannah's perspective is unrecognizable.

00:17:47.100 --> 00:17:49.820
 From a bitter, weeping woman,

00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:54.840
 she now sees hope.

00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:59.559
 She is no longer limited by what's possible,

00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:02.879
 what she is capable of.

00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:05.839
 The bows of the mighty are broken.

00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:09.399
 The weak and feeble are given strength.

00:18:11.159 --> 00:18:13.439
 Israel's situation is suddenly less hopeless.

00:18:14.179 --> 00:18:16.819
 The armies queuing up around them to take over,

00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:18.599
 suddenly not so scary.

00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:22.599
 Not because they're not mighty.

00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:27.099
 Not because they're not more powerful than Israel.

00:18:28.159 --> 00:18:31.599
 But in the face of her mighty rock God.

00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:36.839
 Look again at the picture she paints.

00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:39.299
 The mighty are broken.

00:18:40.199 --> 00:18:41.679
 The feeble are strengthened.

00:18:41.859 --> 00:18:42.619
 The full are hungry.

00:18:42.699 --> 00:18:43.519
 The hungry are full.

00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.759
 The barren woman has kids.

00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:46.059
 The woman with kids has none.

00:18:46.159 --> 00:18:46.339
 Why?

00:18:47.639 --> 00:18:49.879
 Because it's the Lord who gives life.

00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.959
 It's the Lord who kills.

00:18:52.199 --> 00:18:54.459
 It's the Lord who gives everything.

00:18:55.459 --> 00:18:57.579
 Nothing exists except by his will.

00:18:57.579 --> 00:19:02.399
 And suddenly Hannah realizes that the injustice within Israel

00:19:02.399 --> 00:19:05.059
 and the oppression from outside

00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:09.500
 will not go unanswered before a sovereign God.

00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:13.879
 She sees that God has not left.

00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:16.439
 God will keep his promise

00:19:16.439 --> 00:19:19.059
 and he will bring justice.

00:19:20.599 --> 00:19:24.240
 He's the one who spoke the earth into existence.

00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:28.099
 And he is the one who will hold it accountable.

00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:33.519
 For Hannah, this new picture of God

00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:35.799
 redefines everything that she sees.

00:19:36.620 --> 00:19:39.059
 There's this fantastic quote from C.S. Lewis

00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:40.279
 where he says,

00:19:40.380 --> 00:19:44.539
 I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen.

00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:46.660
 Not only because I see it,

00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:49.519
 but because by it I see everything else.

00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:53.920
 Without God, at best we see silhouettes.

00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:57.740
 We are fumbling around in a dark room.

00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.740
 But when we see him,

00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:03.660
 the world is illuminated.

00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:07.200
 Because he is the power that created

00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.819
 and the power that sustains,

00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:14.000
 he is the defining reality for all that exists.

00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:17.960
 We need to wrestle with what that means for us today.

00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:20.140
 Because it made Hannah weird.

00:20:20.140 --> 00:20:24.880
 Hannah's perspective in this passage isn't normal.

00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:26.960
 We don't look at the world and go,

00:20:27.040 --> 00:20:28.020
 you know what, the rich people,

00:20:28.100 --> 00:20:28.960
 I feel sorry for them.

00:20:30.060 --> 00:20:31.160
 The people who are healthy,

00:20:31.300 --> 00:20:31.880
 who are unlucky.

00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:34.220
 Or the woman who's got lots of kids,

00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:34.960
 that must be terrible.

00:20:35.100 --> 00:20:36.280
 Although we might sometimes say that.

00:20:38.060 --> 00:20:39.759
 Hannah's perspective isn't normal, is it?

00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:40.960
 It's weird.

00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:46.420
 She has seen God and suddenly she sees the whole world

00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:48.120
 in a way that no one else does.

00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:52.500
 She's not seeing what most people see.

00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:56.100
 I had an interesting conversation with my brother.

00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.460
 It was about a week ago.

00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.759
 He was staying with me just for a night.

00:20:59.180 --> 00:21:01.700
 My brother used to be really involved in church.

00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:03.420
 I don't know if he's a Christian.

00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.980
 That's between him and God.

00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:07.799
 But I would say if he is,

00:21:08.039 --> 00:21:09.700
 he doesn't take it very seriously.

00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:13.319
 But there was a time when church was really high on his priority list.

00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:14.740
 When ministry was really important.

00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:18.220
 And we were just chatting about an old Bible study group

00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:20.920
 that he used to be in when he was about 20 or 21.

00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:26.740
 And he was reflecting to me how that group was full of full-on Christians.

00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:28.480
 The extreme kind.

00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:32.880
 And he wasn't being particularly rude about them or anything like that.

00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:36.820
 But these were guys who had become missionaries and gone overseas.

00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:38.960
 Guys who had gone into ministry.

00:21:39.580 --> 00:21:41.440
 He didn't say that I was one of those.

00:21:41.540 --> 00:21:42.760
 But I feel like it might have been in brackets.

00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:43.420
 Just a subtle.

00:21:44.800 --> 00:21:46.060
 But we were having this conversation.

00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:47.360
 And in my head I was going,

00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:51.620
 I understand what you're saying.

00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:55.760
 They've kind of just basically thrown their whole life up in the air

00:21:55.760 --> 00:21:56.640
 having met Jesus.

00:21:56.820 --> 00:21:57.620
 But here's the thing.

00:21:58.540 --> 00:22:00.220
 That's not extreme.

00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:03.000
 That's what a Christian is.

00:22:04.620 --> 00:22:06.220
 Hannah's position feels weird.

00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:08.200
 It feels full-on.

00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:11.000
 It feels like it's at the extreme end.

00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:14.779
 But it's not like she's had some unique revelation of God.

00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:19.420
 It's not like some angel appeared and told her a secret that no one else knows.

00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:24.140
 She just reflected on God who had been revealed in history.

00:22:24.580 --> 00:22:26.460
 God as he was revealed in Scripture.

00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:32.080
 And that is sufficient to change her perception of everything in her life.

00:22:33.620 --> 00:22:35.940
 Change her perception of what success is,

00:22:36.100 --> 00:22:36.960
 of what matters,

00:22:37.060 --> 00:22:38.620
 of how her relationships work.

00:22:38.619 --> 00:22:41.539
 And so again,

00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:42.779
 I come back to the question.

00:22:44.139 --> 00:22:45.719
 How does your view of God

00:22:45.719 --> 00:22:47.959
 shape the decisions that you make?

00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:52.019
 How does your view of God

00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:53.859
 and his power and his significance

00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:55.659
 change the way

00:22:55.659 --> 00:22:57.899
 that you see possibilities in your life

00:22:57.899 --> 00:22:59.459
 or limitations in your life?

00:23:00.979 --> 00:23:02.739
 How much of an impact does it have

00:23:02.739 --> 00:23:04.339
 on the ambitions that you have?

00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:05.899
 The things you want to achieve?

00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:07.239
 The desires you have?

00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:10.720
 If our God is

00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:13.859
 incomparably great and powerful,

00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:15.819
 if he is all-consuming

00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:18.000
 and the source of everything that exists,

00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:20.920
 if our God will come to judge everything,

00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:24.059
 then it must affect

00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:26.019
 every part of our life.

00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:29.620
 It must shape even the little decisions,

00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:32.920
 even the seemingly mundane.

00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:36.000
 And so again,

00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.799
 I ask you,

00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:39.240
 do you look at the world any different

00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:42.559
 to the people who don't know God?

00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:46.579
 Or are you pretty much the same

00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:47.460
 as everyone else?

00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:52.539
 One of the fun parts of my job

00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:53.440
 is teaching scripture.

00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.019
 And this year,

00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:55.920
 so this week,

00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:58.039
 I was teaching year six and year three.

00:23:58.539 --> 00:24:00.500
 And we're doing roughly the same lesson,

00:24:00.620 --> 00:24:01.240
 slightly different.

00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:02.740
 And we opened the lesson this week

00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.339
 with a question.

00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:05.740
 It was a what would you do if scenario.

00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:08.839
 And the scenarios went something like,

00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:11.599
 you've got a sports final this weekend,

00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:14.740
 and your coach has told you that training's on tonight,

00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:15.559
 and if you don't go,

00:24:15.639 --> 00:24:16.480
 you won't be playing.

00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:18.939
 And you're at home ready to go,

00:24:19.659 --> 00:24:20.480
 and mum says,

00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:21.439
 I've got a headache.

00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.319
 Do you,

00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:23.619
 A,

00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:25.480
 tell her tough,

00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.079
 drive me to training,

00:24:27.179 --> 00:24:28.399
 otherwise I don't get to play my final.

00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:29.659
 Or B,

00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:31.019
 let her rest,

00:24:31.139 --> 00:24:32.539
 so that her headache can get better.

00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:35.339
 It's amazing how much more selfish year six got.

00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:37.919
 But the other thing that I noticed is,

00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:40.259
 year three were maybe naive,

00:24:40.619 --> 00:24:41.559
 or just really,

00:24:41.619 --> 00:24:42.839
 really selfless.

00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:43.639
 They were all like,

00:24:43.679 --> 00:24:45.000
 oh, mum looks after me so much,

00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.819
 I'll do the right thing,

00:24:45.879 --> 00:24:46.879
 and I'll let her rest.

00:24:47.340 --> 00:24:49.600
 I wonder if that would be true in the actual situation,

00:24:49.760 --> 00:24:51.640
 but they all knew which answer they were supposed to give.

00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:54.060
 But year six was really interesting.

00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:56.960
 They knew which answer they were supposed to give.

00:24:57.600 --> 00:24:59.920
 They knew there was something not quite right about saying,

00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:01.140
 I just want to look after myself.

00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:05.000
 So what they did was invented every possible other scenario

00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.100
 where they could do both.

00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:09.520
 I would let mum rest and hitchhike.

00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:11.040
 I would catch a taxi.

00:25:11.180 --> 00:25:12.020
 I would ring my friend.

00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:12.620
 I would do all this,

00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:12.980
 and I said,

00:25:13.040 --> 00:25:13.120
 no,

00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:13.740
 it's not an option.

00:25:13.840 --> 00:25:15.160
 You need to choose to do one or the other.

00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:16.680
 And it just went round and round,

00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:17.279
 and circles,

00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:19.500
 and it became really obvious that,

00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:20.200
 you know,

00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:22.660
 they didn't want to admit that ultimately,

00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.960
 they cared about themselves more,

00:25:25.340 --> 00:25:28.620
 but their refusal to agree to a scenario

00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:31.759
 that meant them missing out was quite telling.

00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.160
 Now,

00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:35.039
 I'm not having a crack at my year six class

00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:36.480
 because I'm sure I'm the same.

00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:39.100
 But the reality is,

00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:42.880
 we live in a world that is inherently self-obsessed.

00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:46.299
 The unspoken mantra of our culture is,

00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:47.599
 if I don't look after me,

00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.259
 then who will?

00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:52.319
 We've got this sense of what we've earned,

00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.720
 this sense of entitlement.

00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:55.139
 It's ours.

00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:56.599
 It's mine.

00:25:57.139 --> 00:25:59.299
 So I should be able to do with it what I want.

00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:04.059
 But I wonder how that fits with Hannah's vision of God.

00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:06.819
 Have a look again at verse six.

00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:32.700
 It's God who provides.

00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:35.400
 It's God who blesses.

00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:37.519
 He's the God of knowledge.

00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:41.039
 He's intimately involved in every situation that you face.

00:26:41.840 --> 00:26:43.279
 He knows your fears,

00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:44.120
 your concerns,

00:26:44.360 --> 00:26:45.160
 your desires.

00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:49.160
 Just like he heard and responded to Hannah's cry,

00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:52.819
 his ears are attentive to you in your life.

00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:55.240
 And in response,

00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:57.279
 Hannah warns us,

00:26:58.279 --> 00:27:01.019
 not by might shall a man prevail.

00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:04.099
 It's God who gives.

00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:05.579
 You can work as hard as you want.

00:27:05.679 --> 00:27:06.599
 Unless God gives it,

00:27:06.659 --> 00:27:07.379
 you will get nothing.

00:27:10.200 --> 00:27:12.720
 Hannah sees God and recognizes that everything

00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:14.899
 comes from his generous hand.

00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:17.600
 And everything that he has given her

00:27:17.600 --> 00:27:20.560
 exists for a specific purpose.

00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.720
 His purpose.

00:27:24.040 --> 00:27:25.280
 His glory.

00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.460
 And ultimately,

00:27:27.840 --> 00:27:29.120
 everything that exists

00:27:29.120 --> 00:27:31.100
 will return to him one day

00:27:31.100 --> 00:27:32.140
 for judgment.

00:27:33.540 --> 00:27:34.280
 Last week,

00:27:34.320 --> 00:27:35.160
 I was sharing with you

00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:36.540
 that there was something about this story

00:27:36.540 --> 00:27:37.220
 that annoyed me.

00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:39.820
 How could Hannah be so upset

00:27:39.820 --> 00:27:41.140
 about not having a child,

00:27:41.540 --> 00:27:42.220
 have a child,

00:27:42.300 --> 00:27:43.100
 and then hand him over?

00:27:43.099 --> 00:27:46.259
 It still messed with me,

00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:48.000
 but I was looking at it again this week.

00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:51.579
 But I think this prayer answers it for us.

00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:55.399
 Hannah knew that everything that she had,

00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:58.279
 including this gift of a son,

00:27:59.359 --> 00:28:01.819
 was a gift from God

00:28:01.819 --> 00:28:03.359
 for God's glory.

00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:07.539
 Even her family was something

00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.980
 that God had given her

00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:10.939
 for his purposes.

00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:12.940
 She rejoices.

00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.940
 She rejoices in the gift of Samuel.

00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:16.940
 But this prayer is not about that.

00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:19.340
 This prayer is her rejoicing

00:28:19.340 --> 00:28:21.100
 in the chance to use that gift

00:28:21.100 --> 00:28:22.080
 in the right way

00:28:22.080 --> 00:28:23.920
 in service of her worthy

00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:25.759
 and unmatchable God.

00:28:28.820 --> 00:28:30.820
 And I wonder if that is how you view

00:28:30.820 --> 00:28:32.039
 the things in your life

00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:33.640
 that are precious to you.

00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:38.360
 I wonder if that is how I view my son.

00:28:40.080 --> 00:28:42.160
 Does my son exist for me?

00:28:44.020 --> 00:28:44.920
 Or for God?

00:28:46.860 --> 00:28:48.480
 The time that you have free

00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:49.020
 on a weekend

00:28:49.020 --> 00:28:51.000
 after a hard week of work or study,

00:28:51.560 --> 00:28:52.600
 is that yours?

00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:55.300
 Or is it God's?

00:28:58.020 --> 00:28:59.180
 If you are not sure,

00:28:59.180 --> 00:29:02.519
 it's really just a question

00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.200
 of ownership.

00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:05.900
 I do have a responsibility

00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:06.840
 for my son

00:29:06.840 --> 00:29:08.880
 and for the money God's given me

00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:10.180
 and for the time and energy

00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:11.700
 that I use in whatever direction,

00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:13.840
 but do I use it as mine?

00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:15.940
 So do I view it as mine

00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:17.019
 to use however I want?

00:29:17.820 --> 00:29:19.600
 Or do I view it as God's?

00:29:19.840 --> 00:29:21.120
 Is the starting point

00:29:21.120 --> 00:29:23.160
 for everything in my life

00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:24.660
 Him?

00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:27.660
 Do I wake up each day

00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:29.100
 and say I have this many hours,

00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:30.000
 this much energy,

00:29:30.140 --> 00:29:30.900
 this much money,

00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:32.080
 these individuals,

00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:33.019
 these relationships

00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.840
 and say God,

00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:35.779
 how can I use all of it for you?

00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:38.040
 Or do I say God,

00:29:38.080 --> 00:29:39.220
 I've got a couple of hours here,

00:29:39.380 --> 00:29:40.140
 couple of hours there,

00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:41.279
 you can have this relationship,

00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:42.720
 you can have this much of my money.

00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.620
 What does it say

00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:47.640
 about our view of God?

00:29:49.140 --> 00:29:50.080
 Hannah recognizes

00:29:50.080 --> 00:29:50.880
 that everything

00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:52.820
 comes from God.

00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:55.139
 You and I exist

00:29:55.139 --> 00:29:56.639
 to glorify God.

00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:58.779
 That's why we are breathing

00:29:58.779 --> 00:29:59.439
 right now.

00:29:59.939 --> 00:30:00.919
 To know God,

00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.779
 to treasure Him,

00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:02.879
 to represent Him,

00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.859
 the goal is

00:30:03.859 --> 00:30:05.579
 and will always be

00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:07.240
 His glory.

00:30:08.939 --> 00:30:10.119
 And everything else

00:30:10.119 --> 00:30:10.960
 in your life

00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:12.419
 exists

00:30:12.419 --> 00:30:13.639
 to that end.

00:30:15.179 --> 00:30:15.779
 Holidays,

00:30:16.639 --> 00:30:17.539
 your job,

00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:19.419
 your school marks,

00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:21.319
 whatever's in your life

00:30:21.319 --> 00:30:21.819
 right now.

00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:23.740
 That is just

00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:24.480
 an opportunity

00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.740
 that God has given you

00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:26.859
 to glorify Him.

00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.980
 That is the purpose there.

00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:33.419
 Ask yourself this question.

00:30:34.439 --> 00:30:35.539
 If Jesus came back

00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.279
 right now,

00:30:37.179 --> 00:30:38.639
 would I be happy about it

00:30:38.639 --> 00:30:40.159
 or would I be disappointed?

00:30:43.379 --> 00:30:44.359
 Would you feel like

00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.059
 you'd missed out

00:30:45.059 --> 00:30:45.579
 on the chance

00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:46.339
 to enjoy something

00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:47.039
 that you'd earned?

00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:49.299
 Maybe a holiday

00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:50.419
 you've been looking forward to?

00:30:51.380 --> 00:30:52.400
 Maybe some money

00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:53.400
 that you've been saving up

00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:53.860
 to spend

00:30:53.860 --> 00:30:54.820
 in a particular way?

00:30:56.120 --> 00:30:57.539
 Or would you just rejoice

00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:58.560
 that God

00:30:58.560 --> 00:30:59.440
 was being glorified?

00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:03.180
 God changes

00:31:03.180 --> 00:31:03.960
 everything.

00:31:05.320 --> 00:31:05.720
 Following Him

00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.360
 is not a hobby.

00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:07.960
 It's not a choice

00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:08.960
 among other things.

00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:10.120
 It's all-consuming.

00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.779
 It's the central reality.

00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:12.940
 It defines everything.

00:31:13.080 --> 00:31:13.600
 And if God

00:31:13.600 --> 00:31:14.900
 doesn't shape

00:31:14.900 --> 00:31:16.019
 the way we view everything,

00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:17.840
 then we've either settled

00:31:17.840 --> 00:31:18.860
 for a dodgy version

00:31:18.859 --> 00:31:20.639
 or we're just going

00:31:20.639 --> 00:31:21.279
 through the motions

00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:22.479
 to keep someone else happy.

00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:29.579
 God is the defining reality

00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:32.439
 and change in us

00:31:32.439 --> 00:31:34.059
 comes not from

00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:34.899
 trying harder

00:31:34.899 --> 00:31:36.579
 to make Him

00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:37.579
 the defining reality,

00:31:37.979 --> 00:31:39.799
 but it comes

00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:40.699
 like it did for Hannah

00:31:40.699 --> 00:31:41.899
 when we see Him

00:31:41.899 --> 00:31:42.339
 clearly.

00:31:43.579 --> 00:31:44.199
 And thankfully,

00:31:44.399 --> 00:31:45.199
 Hannah gives us

00:31:45.199 --> 00:31:46.240
 the answer

00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:47.119
 on where to look.

00:31:47.119 --> 00:31:48.599
 Look at verse 9 and 10.

00:32:12.239 --> 00:32:13.479
 Hannah's prayer finishes

00:32:13.479 --> 00:32:14.899
 at the only logical place.

00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:16.700
 having begun

00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:17.840
 with her incomparable

00:32:17.840 --> 00:32:19.280
 holy God,

00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:20.759
 she finishes

00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.680
 with Him bringing

00:32:21.680 --> 00:32:22.800
 justice and judgment

00:32:22.800 --> 00:32:23.800
 in His creation.

00:32:24.580 --> 00:32:25.600
 Judgment for the wicked

00:32:25.600 --> 00:32:26.800
 and vindication

00:32:26.800 --> 00:32:27.680
 for the faithful.

00:32:29.060 --> 00:32:30.160
 When God judges,

00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:31.860
 He weighs the actions

00:32:31.860 --> 00:32:32.640
 of all people.

00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:35.540
 He won't look

00:32:35.540 --> 00:32:36.600
 at what's on the outside.

00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:37.680
 He won't look

00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:38.620
 at how strong you are,

00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.500
 how rich you are,

00:32:39.600 --> 00:32:40.759
 how influential you are.

00:32:40.840 --> 00:32:41.320
 He will look

00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:42.379
 at your heart.

00:32:44.419 --> 00:32:45.119
 He will look

00:32:45.119 --> 00:32:45.879
 at whether your heart

00:32:45.879 --> 00:32:46.919
 recognizes Him

00:32:46.919 --> 00:32:48.439
 as the giver

00:32:48.439 --> 00:32:50.279
 of every good gift.

00:32:53.659 --> 00:32:54.599
 Hannah looks forward

00:32:54.599 --> 00:32:55.279
 to the victories

00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:56.099
 that God will win

00:32:56.099 --> 00:32:57.200
 on behalf of His people

00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:57.980
 and we're going to see

00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:58.519
 a couple of them

00:32:58.519 --> 00:32:59.460
 in the next few chapters,

00:32:59.619 --> 00:33:00.559
 but she looks past

00:33:00.559 --> 00:33:01.759
 the short term.

00:33:02.779 --> 00:33:03.399
 She is looking

00:33:03.399 --> 00:33:04.179
 at the final

00:33:04.179 --> 00:33:05.759
 and ultimate victory

00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.779
 that God will work

00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.539
 for His people.

00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:09.440
 She is looking forward

00:33:09.440 --> 00:33:10.039
 to the time

00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:10.859
 when all these things

00:33:10.859 --> 00:33:11.980
 that she's talked about,

00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:12.899
 where the poor

00:33:12.899 --> 00:33:13.759
 are made rich,

00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:14.539
 where the hungry

00:33:14.539 --> 00:33:15.399
 are filled up,

00:33:16.099 --> 00:33:18.079
 will be fully realized.

00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:19.519
 She is praying

00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:21.720
 for God's eternal King,

00:33:22.399 --> 00:33:23.659
 God's chosen one

00:33:23.659 --> 00:33:24.319
 to come.

00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:26.279
 Israel's about

00:33:26.279 --> 00:33:27.319
 to get some kings.

00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:28.960
 They're about to get Saul,

00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:30.059
 they're about to get David

00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:31.599
 and that's all important,

00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:32.399
 but she's looking

00:33:32.399 --> 00:33:33.440
 beyond that.

00:33:34.339 --> 00:33:35.180
 There's a good chance

00:33:35.180 --> 00:33:35.740
 she didn't know

00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:37.279
 exactly what she was

00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:37.839
 praying for,

00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:38.559
 she didn't understand

00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:39.680
 the full significance

00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:40.319
 of it,

00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:43.740
 but ultimately

00:33:43.740 --> 00:33:46.180
 her prayer points

00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:46.819
 to Jesus.

00:33:48.359 --> 00:33:49.620
 There in verse 10,

00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:51.180
 He will give strength

00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:51.960
 to His King

00:33:51.960 --> 00:33:53.059
 and exalt the horn

00:33:53.059 --> 00:33:53.759
 of His anointed.

00:33:55.319 --> 00:33:56.240
 His anointed

00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:57.740
 is His Saviour,

00:33:59.180 --> 00:34:00.440
 His Christ.

00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:03.380
 Thousands of years

00:34:03.380 --> 00:34:04.180
 before Jesus

00:34:04.180 --> 00:34:05.880
 came into the world,

00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:07.180
 Hannah knew

00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:08.140
 that her God

00:34:08.140 --> 00:34:09.340
 would save her.

00:34:11.240 --> 00:34:12.440
 She didn't understand

00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:13.220
 fully how,

00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:15.400
 but she knew

00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:16.599
 that God

00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.539
 would send someone

00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:18.599
 to save

00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:20.240
 because her God

00:34:20.240 --> 00:34:22.260
 is the delivering God.

00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:24.860
 Let me read to you

00:34:24.860 --> 00:34:25.420
 very briefly

00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.760
 the prayer of another woman

00:34:26.760 --> 00:34:27.760
 in the New Testament.

00:34:28.640 --> 00:34:29.360
 This comes out

00:34:29.360 --> 00:34:30.079
 of Luke's Gospel

00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:30.840
 in chapter 1.

00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:34.300
 And Mary said,

00:34:34.940 --> 00:34:36.700
 My soul glorifies

00:34:36.700 --> 00:34:37.260
 the Lord

00:34:37.260 --> 00:34:38.340
 and my spirit

00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:39.660
 rejoices in God

00:34:39.660 --> 00:34:40.420
 my Saviour

00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:41.260
 for He has been

00:34:41.260 --> 00:34:42.480
 mindful of the

00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:43.200
 humble state

00:34:43.200 --> 00:34:43.900
 of His servant.

00:34:44.579 --> 00:34:45.220
 From now on

00:34:45.220 --> 00:34:46.059
 all generations

00:34:46.059 --> 00:34:47.200
 will call me blessed

00:34:47.200 --> 00:34:48.460
 for the Mighty One

00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:49.640
 has done great things

00:34:49.640 --> 00:34:50.039
 for me.

00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.640
 Holy is His name.

00:34:52.200 --> 00:34:52.820
 His mercy

00:34:52.820 --> 00:34:53.840
 extends to those

00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:54.559
 who fear Him.

00:34:54.860 --> 00:34:55.620
 From generation

00:34:55.620 --> 00:34:56.420
 to generation

00:34:56.420 --> 00:34:57.220
 He has performed

00:34:57.220 --> 00:34:58.180
 mighty deeds

00:34:58.180 --> 00:34:58.880
 with His arm.

00:34:59.220 --> 00:34:59.920
 He has scattered

00:34:59.920 --> 00:35:00.920
 those who are proud

00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:02.059
 in their inmost thoughts.

00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:03.200
 He has brought down

00:35:03.200 --> 00:35:04.420
 rulers from their thrones

00:35:04.420 --> 00:35:05.400
 but has lifted up

00:35:05.400 --> 00:35:05.840
 the humble.

00:35:06.340 --> 00:35:06.960
 He has filled

00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:07.480
 the hungry

00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:08.480
 with good things

00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:09.420
 but has sent

00:35:09.420 --> 00:35:10.400
 the rich away empty.

00:35:10.840 --> 00:35:11.460
 He has helped

00:35:11.460 --> 00:35:12.639
 His servant Israel

00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:13.900
 remembering to be

00:35:13.900 --> 00:35:15.000
 merciful to Abraham

00:35:15.000 --> 00:35:16.019
 and his descendants

00:35:16.019 --> 00:35:16.539
 forever

00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:18.460
 even as He said

00:35:18.460 --> 00:35:19.420
 to our fathers.

00:35:19.420 --> 00:35:23.960
 what changes

00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:25.300
 in this story

00:35:25.300 --> 00:35:25.900
 in 1 Samuel

00:35:25.900 --> 00:35:26.340
 for Hannah?

00:35:27.380 --> 00:35:28.119
 What's different

00:35:28.119 --> 00:35:28.579
 for her

00:35:28.579 --> 00:35:29.720
 between chapter 1

00:35:29.720 --> 00:35:30.340
 and chapter 2?

00:35:32.500 --> 00:35:33.119
 Answer is

00:35:33.119 --> 00:35:33.619
 not a lot.

00:35:35.200 --> 00:35:36.039
 She was praying

00:35:36.039 --> 00:35:36.440
 to God

00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:37.260
 when she was barren

00:35:37.260 --> 00:35:37.820
 and she's praying

00:35:37.820 --> 00:35:38.559
 to God afterwards.

00:35:39.280 --> 00:35:40.180
 She has the same

00:35:40.180 --> 00:35:40.639
 husband.

00:35:41.700 --> 00:35:42.539
 She still has to

00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:43.420
 share that husband

00:35:43.420 --> 00:35:43.960
 with a woman

00:35:43.960 --> 00:35:44.480
 who she doesn't

00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:44.920
 get on with

00:35:44.920 --> 00:35:45.440
 very well

00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:47.340
 and at this point

00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:48.420
 Israel continues

00:35:48.420 --> 00:35:49.380
 to ignore God

00:35:49.380 --> 00:35:49.840
 and we're going

00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:50.340
 to see it

00:35:50.340 --> 00:35:52.500
 in really vivid detail

00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:54.300
 in two weeks time.

00:35:56.200 --> 00:35:57.440
 Her circumstances

00:35:57.440 --> 00:35:58.740
 don't shift enough

00:35:58.740 --> 00:35:59.240
 to warrant

00:35:59.240 --> 00:35:59.960
 a prayer like this

00:35:59.960 --> 00:36:00.300
 do they?

00:36:03.159 --> 00:36:04.260
 A child is an

00:36:04.260 --> 00:36:05.000
 amazing gift

00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:06.099
 but a prayer like this

00:36:06.099 --> 00:36:06.980
 says something

00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:08.019
 more significant

00:36:08.019 --> 00:36:08.820
 has gone on.

00:36:08.880 --> 00:36:09.440
 What shifts

00:36:09.440 --> 00:36:10.039
 for her

00:36:10.039 --> 00:36:11.500
 is her view

00:36:11.500 --> 00:36:12.000
 of God

00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:15.000
 and that

00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:15.519
 should

00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:16.900
 challenge us.

00:36:18.440 --> 00:36:19.239
 She had

00:36:19.239 --> 00:36:20.219
 but a vague

00:36:20.219 --> 00:36:20.820
 idea

00:36:20.820 --> 00:36:22.519
 that Jesus

00:36:22.519 --> 00:36:23.099
 would come

00:36:23.099 --> 00:36:25.460
 and when you

00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:26.059
 hear about

00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:26.760
 how her whole

00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:27.179
 life was

00:36:27.179 --> 00:36:27.940
 redefined

00:36:27.940 --> 00:36:29.760
 it probably

00:36:29.760 --> 00:36:30.619
 should intimidate

00:36:30.619 --> 00:36:31.300
 you a little bit

00:36:31.300 --> 00:36:33.619
 because I think

00:36:33.619 --> 00:36:34.119
 it would be fair

00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:34.639
 to say that

00:36:34.639 --> 00:36:35.420
 for most of us

00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:36.260
 our view of God

00:36:36.260 --> 00:36:36.960
 is pretty small

00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:37.599
 in comparison

00:36:37.599 --> 00:36:38.219
 to hers.

00:36:39.900 --> 00:36:40.980
 We still fear

00:36:40.980 --> 00:36:41.460
 the things

00:36:41.460 --> 00:36:41.960
 that the world

00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:42.840
 tells us to fear

00:36:42.840 --> 00:36:43.440
 we still feel

00:36:43.440 --> 00:36:44.139
 the limitations

00:36:44.139 --> 00:36:44.800
 of our own

00:36:44.800 --> 00:36:45.240
 strength

00:36:45.240 --> 00:36:45.960
 or capacity

00:36:45.960 --> 00:36:48.039
 our view

00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:48.639
 of God

00:36:48.639 --> 00:36:50.159
 doesn't look

00:36:50.159 --> 00:36:50.720
 very impressive

00:36:50.720 --> 00:36:51.599
 next to her view

00:36:51.599 --> 00:36:52.800
 let alone

00:36:52.800 --> 00:36:53.400
 next to God

00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:53.840
 himself

00:36:53.840 --> 00:36:56.099
 but the great

00:36:56.099 --> 00:36:56.780
 encouragement

00:36:56.780 --> 00:36:57.320
 of Hannah

00:36:57.320 --> 00:36:58.159
 and of Mary's

00:36:58.159 --> 00:36:58.980
 prayer from Luke's

00:36:58.980 --> 00:36:59.659
 gospel is that

00:36:59.659 --> 00:37:00.199
 we live

00:37:00.199 --> 00:37:01.059
 in light

00:37:01.059 --> 00:37:01.699
 of what Jesus

00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:02.720
 has already done.

00:37:05.260 --> 00:37:06.139
 Jesus came

00:37:06.139 --> 00:37:06.500
 to earth

00:37:06.500 --> 00:37:07.380
 for people

00:37:07.380 --> 00:37:07.900
 who have

00:37:07.900 --> 00:37:08.500
 a small view

00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:08.960
 of God.

00:37:08.960 --> 00:37:11.159
 he came

00:37:11.159 --> 00:37:11.539
 to earth

00:37:11.539 --> 00:37:12.000
 for people

00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:12.480
 like you

00:37:12.480 --> 00:37:12.840
 and me

00:37:12.840 --> 00:37:13.480
 who had

00:37:13.480 --> 00:37:14.539
 this vague

00:37:14.539 --> 00:37:15.099
 idea

00:37:15.099 --> 00:37:15.800
 but had

00:37:15.800 --> 00:37:16.119
 kind of

00:37:16.119 --> 00:37:16.900
 domesticated

00:37:16.900 --> 00:37:17.179
 it.

00:37:17.619 --> 00:37:18.039
 He came

00:37:18.039 --> 00:37:18.720
 to forgive

00:37:18.720 --> 00:37:19.840
 self-dependent

00:37:19.840 --> 00:37:20.199
 people

00:37:20.199 --> 00:37:21.099
 to forgive

00:37:21.099 --> 00:37:22.019
 self-focused

00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:22.980
 selfish people

00:37:22.980 --> 00:37:23.420
 like you

00:37:23.420 --> 00:37:23.760
 and me.

00:37:24.619 --> 00:37:25.139
 He came

00:37:25.139 --> 00:37:25.720
 to reveal

00:37:25.720 --> 00:37:26.139
 God

00:37:26.139 --> 00:37:26.579
 so that we

00:37:26.579 --> 00:37:27.059
 would see

00:37:27.059 --> 00:37:27.659
 him clearly

00:37:27.659 --> 00:37:28.139
 just like

00:37:28.139 --> 00:37:28.619
 Hannah did.

00:37:29.980 --> 00:37:30.860
 In Jesus

00:37:30.860 --> 00:37:31.400
 we have

00:37:31.400 --> 00:37:32.740
 certain hope

00:37:32.740 --> 00:37:34.099
 we have

00:37:34.099 --> 00:37:34.559
 an anchor

00:37:34.559 --> 00:37:35.039
 which will

00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:35.400
 withstand

00:37:35.400 --> 00:37:36.059
 whatever

00:37:36.059 --> 00:37:37.160
 life throws

00:37:37.160 --> 00:37:37.740
 at us

00:37:37.740 --> 00:37:39.639
 and if

00:37:39.639 --> 00:37:39.820
 you're

00:37:39.820 --> 00:37:40.220
 feeling

00:37:40.220 --> 00:37:40.980
 guilty

00:37:40.980 --> 00:37:41.519
 right now

00:37:41.519 --> 00:37:41.820
 because

00:37:41.820 --> 00:37:42.500
 your life

00:37:42.500 --> 00:37:42.880
 doesn't

00:37:42.880 --> 00:37:43.380
 reflect

00:37:43.380 --> 00:37:44.840
 the God

00:37:44.840 --> 00:37:45.099
 of the

00:37:45.099 --> 00:37:45.480
 universe

00:37:45.480 --> 00:37:47.860
 I want

00:37:47.860 --> 00:37:48.139
 to say

00:37:48.139 --> 00:37:48.500
 that that

00:37:48.500 --> 00:37:49.000
 is God's

00:37:49.000 --> 00:37:49.639
 gift to

00:37:49.639 --> 00:37:50.059
 you right

00:37:50.059 --> 00:37:50.400
 now

00:37:50.400 --> 00:37:53.079
 because

00:37:53.079 --> 00:37:53.559
 he will

00:37:53.559 --> 00:37:54.059
 use that

00:37:54.059 --> 00:37:54.579
 to drive

00:37:54.579 --> 00:37:55.099
 you back

00:37:55.099 --> 00:37:57.440
 to the

00:37:57.440 --> 00:37:58.119
 one place

00:37:58.119 --> 00:37:58.820
 where you

00:37:58.820 --> 00:37:59.220
 will find

00:37:59.220 --> 00:37:59.820
 salvation

00:37:59.820 --> 00:38:01.820
 in the

00:38:01.820 --> 00:38:02.599
 incomparable

00:38:02.599 --> 00:38:03.139
 God

00:38:03.139 --> 00:38:04.139
 who delivers.

00:38:05.400 --> 00:38:10.519
 if you're

00:38:10.519 --> 00:38:10.920
 feeling

00:38:10.920 --> 00:38:11.360
 a weight

00:38:11.360 --> 00:38:11.800
 tonight

00:38:11.800 --> 00:38:12.980
 the goal

00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:13.300
 is not

00:38:13.300 --> 00:38:13.680
 to walk

00:38:13.680 --> 00:38:14.000
 out of

00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:14.160
 here

00:38:14.160 --> 00:38:14.500
 and try

00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:14.920
 harder

00:38:14.920 --> 00:38:16.900
 the goal

00:38:16.900 --> 00:38:17.200
 is to

00:38:17.200 --> 00:38:17.519
 look to

00:38:17.519 --> 00:38:17.880
 Jesus

00:38:17.880 --> 00:38:19.920
 and like

00:38:19.920 --> 00:38:20.200
 Hannah

00:38:20.200 --> 00:38:21.039
 rejoice.

00:38:23.780 --> 00:38:24.420
 Let's

00:38:24.420 --> 00:38:24.680
 pray.

00:38:30.380 --> 00:38:31.039
 Father

00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:31.360
 God

00:38:31.360 --> 00:38:31.599
 we

00:38:31.599 --> 00:38:33.320
 we want

00:38:33.320 --> 00:38:33.860
 to acknowledge

00:38:33.860 --> 00:38:34.260
 that

00:38:34.260 --> 00:38:36.480
 so often

00:38:36.480 --> 00:38:37.040
 we do

00:38:37.040 --> 00:38:37.940
 trim

00:38:37.940 --> 00:38:38.420
 down

00:38:38.420 --> 00:38:39.720
 just how

00:38:39.720 --> 00:38:40.200
 impressive

00:38:40.200 --> 00:38:40.920
 and majestic

00:38:40.920 --> 00:38:41.600
 and glorious

00:38:41.600 --> 00:38:42.200
 you are

00:38:42.200 --> 00:38:43.840
 in so many

00:38:43.840 --> 00:38:44.460
 areas of

00:38:44.460 --> 00:38:45.040
 our life

00:38:45.040 --> 00:38:45.580
 we act

00:38:45.580 --> 00:38:45.940
 like you

00:38:45.940 --> 00:38:46.140
 don't

00:38:46.140 --> 00:38:46.440
 matter

00:38:46.440 --> 00:38:48.120
 in so

00:38:48.120 --> 00:38:48.320
 many

00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:48.640
 things

00:38:48.640 --> 00:38:48.900
 we are

00:38:48.900 --> 00:38:49.100
 more

00:38:49.100 --> 00:38:49.540
 consumed

00:38:49.540 --> 00:38:49.920
 with our

00:38:49.920 --> 00:38:50.180
 own

00:38:50.180 --> 00:38:50.720
 capacity

00:38:50.720 --> 00:38:51.260
 than with

00:38:51.260 --> 00:38:51.460
 your

00:38:51.460 --> 00:38:51.800
 power

00:38:51.800 --> 00:38:52.180
 at work

00:38:52.180 --> 00:38:52.720
 in us

00:38:52.719 --> 00:38:54.399
 and

00:38:54.399 --> 00:38:54.639
 God

00:38:54.639 --> 00:38:54.919
 we want

00:38:54.919 --> 00:38:55.319
 to ask

00:38:55.319 --> 00:38:55.579
 that you

00:38:55.579 --> 00:38:55.699
 would

00:38:55.699 --> 00:38:55.980
 open

00:38:55.980 --> 00:38:56.199
 our

00:38:56.199 --> 00:38:56.500
 eyes

00:38:56.500 --> 00:38:56.659
 to

00:38:56.659 --> 00:38:57.000
 see

00:38:57.000 --> 00:38:57.179
 you

00:38:57.179 --> 00:38:57.599
 clearly

00:38:57.599 --> 00:38:58.799
 we want

00:38:58.799 --> 00:38:59.199
 to thank

00:38:59.199 --> 00:38:59.339
 you

00:38:59.339 --> 00:38:59.619
 that you

00:38:59.619 --> 00:38:59.939
 sent

00:38:59.939 --> 00:39:00.139
 your

00:39:00.139 --> 00:39:00.519
 son

00:39:00.519 --> 00:39:00.839
 that we

00:39:00.839 --> 00:39:01.059
 might

00:39:01.059 --> 00:39:01.379
 know

00:39:01.379 --> 00:39:01.699
 you

00:39:01.699 --> 00:39:02.339
 that we

00:39:02.339 --> 00:39:02.539
 might

00:39:02.539 --> 00:39:02.699
 know

00:39:02.699 --> 00:39:02.899
 your

00:39:02.899 --> 00:39:03.359
 love

00:39:03.359 --> 00:39:03.859
 and your

00:39:03.859 --> 00:39:04.399
 justice

00:39:04.399 --> 00:39:05.679
 and your

00:39:05.679 --> 00:39:06.179
 power

00:39:06.179 --> 00:39:06.919
 over sin

00:39:06.919 --> 00:39:07.679
 and death

00:39:07.679 --> 00:39:11.119
 father

00:39:11.119 --> 00:39:11.460
 we want

00:39:11.460 --> 00:39:12.000
 to ask

00:39:12.000 --> 00:39:12.359
 that

00:39:12.359 --> 00:39:13.159
 you

00:39:13.159 --> 00:39:13.339
 would

00:39:13.339 --> 00:39:13.639
 show

00:39:13.639 --> 00:39:13.839
 us

00:39:13.839 --> 00:39:14.199
 areas

00:39:14.199 --> 00:39:14.519
 in our

00:39:14.519 --> 00:39:15.000
 life

00:39:15.000 --> 00:39:15.859
 where

00:39:15.859 --> 00:39:16.019
 we're

00:39:16.019 --> 00:39:16.299
 living

00:39:16.299 --> 00:39:16.799
 as if

00:39:16.799 --> 00:39:17.299
 you

00:39:17.299 --> 00:39:17.480
 have

00:39:17.480 --> 00:39:17.679
 no

00:39:17.679 --> 00:39:18.139
 power

00:39:18.139 --> 00:39:20.940
 lord

00:39:20.940 --> 00:39:21.259
 and as

00:39:21.259 --> 00:39:21.399
 we

00:39:21.399 --> 00:39:21.839
 confess

00:39:21.839 --> 00:39:22.159
 those

00:39:22.159 --> 00:39:22.519
 things

00:39:22.519 --> 00:39:22.879
 please

00:39:22.879 --> 00:39:23.500
 consume

00:39:23.500 --> 00:39:23.699
 the

00:39:23.699 --> 00:39:24.139
 desires

00:39:24.139 --> 00:39:24.440
 of our

00:39:24.440 --> 00:39:24.879
 hearts

00:39:24.879 --> 00:39:26.139
 with a

00:39:26.139 --> 00:39:26.480
 desire

00:39:26.480 --> 00:39:26.699
 to

00:39:26.699 --> 00:39:27.199
 glorify

00:39:27.199 --> 00:39:27.639
 you

00:39:27.639 --> 00:39:30.639
 father

00:39:30.639 --> 00:39:30.899
 god

00:39:30.899 --> 00:39:31.159
 if there

00:39:31.159 --> 00:39:31.279
 are

00:39:31.279 --> 00:39:31.559
 people

00:39:31.559 --> 00:39:31.899
 in this

00:39:31.899 --> 00:39:32.079
 room

00:39:32.079 --> 00:39:32.419
 tonight

00:39:32.419 --> 00:39:32.619
 who

00:39:32.619 --> 00:39:32.839
 don't

00:39:32.839 --> 00:39:33.019
 even

00:39:33.019 --> 00:39:33.339
 know

00:39:33.339 --> 00:39:33.579
 you

00:39:33.579 --> 00:39:33.899
 yet

00:39:33.899 --> 00:39:35.779
 who

00:39:35.779 --> 00:39:36.059
 still

00:39:36.059 --> 00:39:36.379
 think

00:39:36.379 --> 00:39:36.699
 that this

00:39:36.699 --> 00:39:37.079
 idea

00:39:37.079 --> 00:39:37.460
 of living

00:39:37.460 --> 00:39:37.840
 a whole

00:39:37.840 --> 00:39:38.199
 life

00:39:38.199 --> 00:39:38.480
 because

00:39:38.480 --> 00:39:38.780
 of who

00:39:38.780 --> 00:39:38.980
 you

00:39:38.980 --> 00:39:39.199
 are

00:39:39.199 --> 00:39:39.400
 is

00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:39.800
 weird

00:39:39.800 --> 00:39:39.980
 and

00:39:39.980 --> 00:39:40.519
 extreme

00:39:40.519 --> 00:39:41.780
 i pray

00:39:41.780 --> 00:39:42.079
 that you

00:39:42.079 --> 00:39:42.220
 would

00:39:42.220 --> 00:39:42.519
 show

00:39:42.519 --> 00:39:42.760
 them

00:39:42.760 --> 00:39:42.940
 your

00:39:42.940 --> 00:39:43.480
 majesty

00:39:43.480 --> 00:39:44.800
 that

00:39:44.800 --> 00:39:44.920
 they

00:39:44.920 --> 00:39:45.039
 would

00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:45.220
 look

00:39:45.220 --> 00:39:45.420
 to

00:39:45.420 --> 00:39:45.980
 jesus

00:39:45.980 --> 00:39:47.619
 crucified

00:39:47.619 --> 00:39:48.059
 and

00:39:48.059 --> 00:39:48.400
 risen

00:39:48.400 --> 00:39:49.320
 and

00:39:49.320 --> 00:39:49.720
 understand

00:39:49.720 --> 00:39:50.079
 that

00:39:50.079 --> 00:39:50.220
 you

00:39:50.220 --> 00:39:50.380
 are

00:39:50.380 --> 00:39:50.679
 worth

00:39:50.679 --> 00:39:50.980
 that

00:39:50.980 --> 00:39:51.220
 and

00:39:51.220 --> 00:39:51.599
 so

00:39:51.599 --> 00:39:51.900
 much

00:39:51.900 --> 00:39:52.320
 more

00:39:52.320 --> 00:39:54.500
 god

00:39:54.500 --> 00:39:54.740
 and for

00:39:54.740 --> 00:39:55.039
 those

00:39:55.039 --> 00:39:55.380
 of us

00:39:55.380 --> 00:39:55.539
 who

00:39:55.539 --> 00:39:55.740
 do

00:39:55.740 --> 00:39:55.980
 know

00:39:55.980 --> 00:39:56.240
 you

00:39:56.240 --> 00:39:57.519
 give

00:39:57.519 --> 00:39:57.720
 us

00:39:57.720 --> 00:39:58.159
 great

00:39:58.159 --> 00:39:58.619
 joy

00:39:58.619 --> 00:39:58.900
 as

00:39:58.900 --> 00:39:59.079
 we

00:39:59.079 --> 00:39:59.340
 seek

00:39:59.340 --> 00:39:59.579
 to

00:39:59.579 --> 00:40:00.099
 sacrifice

00:40:00.099 --> 00:40:00.519
 our

00:40:00.519 --> 00:40:00.900
 lives

00:40:00.900 --> 00:40:01.079
 for

00:40:01.079 --> 00:40:01.240
 the

00:40:01.240 --> 00:40:01.460
 sake

00:40:01.460 --> 00:40:01.599
 of

00:40:01.599 --> 00:40:01.820
 your

00:40:01.820 --> 00:40:02.300
 purpose

00:40:02.300 --> 00:40:02.579
 and

00:40:02.579 --> 00:40:02.780
 your

00:40:02.780 --> 00:40:03.119
 call

00:40:03.119 --> 00:40:05.780
 father

00:40:05.780 --> 00:40:06.159
 thank

00:40:06.159 --> 00:40:06.280
 you

00:40:06.280 --> 00:40:06.460
 for

00:40:06.460 --> 00:40:06.639
 your

00:40:06.639 --> 00:40:07.059
 love

00:40:07.059 --> 00:40:07.519
 even

00:40:07.519 --> 00:40:07.719
 when

00:40:07.719 --> 00:40:07.880
 we

00:40:07.880 --> 00:40:08.079
 don't

00:40:08.079 --> 00:40:08.380
 deserve

00:40:08.380 --> 00:40:08.679
 it

00:40:08.679 --> 00:40:10.599
 thank

00:40:10.599 --> 00:40:10.739
 you

00:40:10.739 --> 00:40:10.940
 for

00:40:10.940 --> 00:40:11.159
 your

00:40:11.159 --> 00:40:11.500
 son

00:40:11.500 --> 00:40:11.759
 in

00:40:11.759 --> 00:40:12.059
 whom

00:40:12.059 --> 00:40:12.340
 is

00:40:12.340 --> 00:40:12.500
 our

00:40:12.500 --> 00:40:12.840
 hope

00:40:12.840 --> 00:40:14.539
 amen