Hannah believed God and it changed her life. She went from sadness to joy, and regained her appetite.

1. www.rossvillechurch.com 781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA 30741 July 3, 2011

2. We are studying of how the birth of Samuel , priest, prophet, and leader of Israel came to be. Elkanah was a Levite who had two wives: Hannah - the woman he loved , but she was barren , And Peninnah - the woman he married to have children.

3. Hannah prayed for a son, and promised to give him to God for all of his life. God promised her a son, and she left the temple in faith , believing God for a son. Her countenance was no longer sad!

4. We talked last Sunday of how faith changes us , even more than it changes our circumstances. Hannah believed the Word of God -- She went from sadness and grief to joy ; She went from refusing to eat or drink to having a good appetite .

5. Faith in God will take away all fear from our mind, and give us courage to live boldly. Faith will replace worry with confidence. Sadness with joy Emptiness with satisfaction Turmoil with peace of mind.

6. 19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her. Notice that they worshipped God before they started home.

7. Too often we forget to worship before we start -- Trip, Project, Business venture, Our day We may think we can't afford the time. Time to worship will save us time and trouble .

8. Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her. V 19b We have to do our part; do what we can do. Turn from sin; Focus on living for God; Actively living for God.

9. 20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord . Acknowledge God's blessing with thanksgiving. Every time Hannah called Samuel , she remem-bered and acknowledged that God gave him to her. Every time that she spoke his name .

10. 21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. 22 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide forever.

11. 23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the Lord establish His Word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him. 24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young.

12. According to Bible Knowledge Commentary , it was customary to nurse a child till the age of three. Samuel was about this size and age when he was left at the temple. Talk about a baby dedication !

13. 25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him: 28 Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.

14. Hannah kept her vow to the Lord. Too many would have run backwards, saying, "I can't leave my baby." "He's so little."

15. People today have misunderstood the purpose of having children. God doesn't give us children that we may selfishly keep them babies for our own enjoyment. He gives us children that we may raise them to become godly, mature adults .

16. At the age of three years, Samuel was given back to God to worship and serve Him . He would have had to learn to take care of himself at this very young age. He was expected to learn the details of priestly service in the temple.

17. Faith in God Eli had raised two sons, who were vile men : Fornicators and thieves misusing the office of the priesthood for their own gain. But Hannah wasn't entrusting Samuel to Eli; She was entrusting him unto God .

18. Whatever you may be concerned about, entrust the person or situation unto God Almighty. God will work all things for good unto every one who loves Him and lives for Him .