Calvary Road Baptist Church

“BY STRENGTH SHALL NO MAN PREVAIL”

First Samuel 2.9b

I want to expose you to one of the most astounding women found in God’s Word, a woman of such deep and abiding spirituality that she can be held up to one and all as a model of godliness and motherhood. It’s conceivable that had not Simon Peter referred to Sarah in First Peter 3.6 as his example of wisdom and humility and faith in dealing with a husband; he might have used this woman named Hannah.

Turn in your Bible to First Samuel chapter 1, so that I might rehearse in your mind the story of Hannah and her firstborn son, Samuel. My introductory remarks divide into five considerations: 

First, LET US CONSIDER HANNAH’S PORTION - She was barren 

First Samuel 1.1-8: 

1  Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:

2  And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

3  And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.

4  And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

5  But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.

6  And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.

7  And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

8  Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons? 

No, husband, you are not better for a wife than ten sons. When you are dead and buried a woman’s sons will still be there to take care of her, to love her, to provide for her, to honor her in her old age, and her grandchildren will keep her occupied and will extend her life by decades, while your body is being eaten by worms.

God directed people to leave their mothers and fathers and to be fruitful and multiply in marriage. So, it’s quite natural that most women would want to marry and to bear children. It’s quite simply the most usual and typical thing a woman can do, quite in line with how and why God created most men and women.

By today’s standards, Hannah should have been a happy and content woman. The first wife of a man who had two wives, she had it just about as good as a modern-day liberated woman can imagine, for Hannah’s day and age. She had the comfort and security of a marriage to a man of some means, she had his love and attentiveness, yet she wasn’t bothered by children.

So, what’s her gripe? What’s her beef? Simple, she had this crazy idea that children were a blessing, that having children when you were a married woman makes sense, and that great fulfillment can be derived from living a life that is very different from those who are married and have no children.

God can provide great contentment and joy for both single individuals and childless couples. However, I would suggest anyone in either situation consider engaging in some type of ministry or activity that involves children. It will enrich your life and keep you younger than would be the case with no children in your life. 

Next, LET US CONSIDER HANNAH’S PRAYER - A prayer of commitment 

First Samuel 1.9-18: 

9  So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.

10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.

13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. 

Let’s pass by the foolish comments of old Eli. We understand that the godly individual will always find obstacles in her path, impediments along her journey through life. But notice that this deeply spiritual woman who trusts God, who wants for herself what God wants for her, is praying a prayer of faith, a prayer of concern, a prayer of commitment to God.

Does she want a child? Yes. Not so she can be like the other wives in her village. Not so she can pass her time each day playing with and having fun with her baby. This precious saint of God wants a child for a specific and noble purpose, a purpose that would be wise for each of us here today to emulate, to imitate, to copy.

My friends, ladies, mothers, mothers to be, and even you men and boys here today, learn something from this woman named Hannah. She cried out to God in her grief, 

“O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.” 

“God, give me a baby, so I will have a baby to give to you. Give me a child, so I can give the child to you. And I won’t just give you back the child you give to me, God. I will give you back a child who will serve you. And not just a child who will serve you, but a Nazarite.” That’s what she meant when she said no razor would come upon his head, a child especially set aside and dedicated to God.

Do you see the key to this woman’s spirituality? She did not want from God to get from God, as with so many today. She wanted from God so she could give to God. Would to God every mom and dad wanted their child from God so they could give their child to God. Amen? It sure does change the way you raise your kids when your purpose for having them is to give them back to God. Kinda shows the extreme selfishness of those who refuse to train their kids to be godly, doesn’t it? 

Third, CONSIDER GOD’S PORTION FOR HANNAH 

First Samuel 1.19-20: 

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.

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. 

God remembered Hannah. Why did God remember Hannah? Because Hannah remembered God. She had a great hunger and desire, but she had no means. She was barren, unable to have children. So, what did she do? She prayed to God and asked for divine intervention. A helpless woman, barren in a culture that frowned on barren women, had only God to turn to and turn to God she did.

The word “Samuel” literally means “heard of God.” So, there is no doubt that Hannah attributed the arrival of this precious little boy as an intervention on the part of God into the affairs of men in answer to prayer. God blessed this woman, and she didn’t forget what He had done, or her commitment to Him. 

Fourth, CONSIDER HANNAH’S PREPARATION 

First Samuel 1.21-28: 

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 for ever.

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.

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. 

Let’s avoid so fixating on the weaning of the child that we overlook the intent of Hannah with her son. True, mothers did nurse children much longer in that culture and in that day than seems appropriate to many people today. But more went on during that time than just the nursing of the child, Samuel.

From the life and testimony of the child in later chapters of First Samuel, and from the practical necessity that a child delivered to the high priest of Israel would not be and could not be a child who needed to be taken care of, but was to be himself a servant to the high priest, it can only be that during this period Hannah’s days with her beloved son were passed teaching, training, motivating, and preparing him for his life’s work.

And lest you think upon this with skepticism, understand that enthusiasm and commitment and desire are contagious, as much caught as taught. What burdens weigh heavily on a mother’s heart will weigh heavily on her son’s heart. What cause she is willing to die for he will undoubtedly ponder being willing to die for. What God she has given her life to serving, he will reflect on giving his life to serving. If your son does not love Church, love the idea of serving God, love the notion of living for Christ, it might be because such is not found in your heart, Mom. Not must be, but might be.

I can just see Hannah talking to her son. “No, you carry the tray like this. And be careful how you hold it. Remember, you are the only little boy in all Israel who will be allowed to do this. The silly little boys will spend their days playing and acting foolish. But you, Samuel, were given to serve God. And how grateful Mommy is going to be when you are old enough, mature enough, and trained well enough to serve God by tending to the high priest.”

Did Hannah prepare her son well? What did that boy do when his mother took him and presented him to the high priest? Verse 28: “He worshipped the LORD there.” Hannah prepared her son well, as well as a mother can prepare a child to serve God. And if you doubt the impact a godly mother can have on her son or daughter, I remind you of a woman named Susannah and the impact she had on the world as the result her godly devotion to the raising of her sons, John and Charles Wesley. 

Finally, CONSIDER HANNAH’S PRAYER 

First Samuel 2.1-10: 

1  And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

2  There0 is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

3  Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

4  The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

5  They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

6  The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

7  The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

8  He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and he hath set the world upon them.

9  He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed. 

What a trophy of God’s grace this woman is. And how out of his depth was Elkanah with this wife of his. The depth of her spirituality can be seen in this prayer of hers.

There are themes in this single prayer that seems to me to be found here in God’s Word for the first time and are later developed in the Psalms and the prophetical books, and even in the New Testament.

How would she know some of these things she prayed about? Psalm 25.14 provides a clue: 

“The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him.” 

This woman walked with God, relied on God, trusted God, served God, honored God, promised God, kept her promise to God. And all of this because she feared God. 

Motherhood, to Hannah, was far different than motherhood was to any of her contemporaries. It is fair to say that no other woman in Israel in her day wanted a child from God as badly as she did, or for a reason she did. I wonder how many sons and daughters would end up serving God instead of blaspheming God if their mothers had wanted them from God so they could give them to God. What other wisdom and insights might we learn from a woman of such profound godliness? What can a woman who fears God and who has such delight in serving Him have to say to the lost this morning?

In my message, I want to address a single phrase lifted from godly Hannah’s prayer to God after she had prepared and then presented her beloved and longed for son, Samuel, to the LORD: 

“by strength shall no man prevail.” 

You here today who have utterly failed in the raising of your children, or who are terrified by the direction your children are presently pursuing, or who are not yet mothers and fathers, but who someday shall be, learn this from Hannah: 

“by strength shall no man prevail.” 

This is the conclusion Hannah drew from the contrast she made between the righteous and the wicked. God 

“will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.” 

So, what are you up to, my friend? What is it that you hope to accomplish in your life, when all is said and done? What will be the conclusion of the whole matter for you?

Hannah prayed, and the rest of God’s Word completely confirms that, “by strength shall no man prevail.” By strength, you will not win. By strength, you will not be victorious. By strength, you will not come to the place of rejoicing and happiness from the children you have raised.

Contrary to what Hannah prayed, and contrary to what the rest of the Bible shows to be true, let me spend just a few minutes developing what we know to be true about unsaved people, about Christ rejecters, from Hannah’s acknowledgment to God that “by strength shall no man prevail.” 

“BY STRENGTH SHALL NO MAN PREVAIL.” 

THIS STATEMENT RECOGNIZES THAT THE LOST PERSON THINKS HE IS STRONG 

All evidence to the contrary, you think you are physically strong, you think you are emotionally strong, you think you are intellectually strong, or you think you are spiritually strong. But what do we find instead?

We find that you are physically weak. Set aside, for the moment, any consideration of physical might, as if you were proportionally as powerful as an ant, or a monkey, or a leopard. Set such notions aside, since man is the weakest of all creatures in proportion to his size. Let’s consider something other than physical might. Let’s consider your immune system. How has your behavior for the last two months displayed your confidence in the face of a threat from something that is on the margin of what can be described as a life form, the Corona Virus, COVID-19. Are you strong in the face of exposure to that microscopic virus? Let’s consider durability. How durable are you when there is a physical contest between you and an automobile, or between a bicyclist and the pavement? Men wear helmets and shoulder pads to play football. But what do mountain goats wear when they butt heads during rutting season? Or rams? What about bucks and bull elk? What do they wear? My point is, you are not physically strong in comparison to the One Who hung the stars in the sky, and Who shakes mountains with His spoken word.[1] You are the weakest of the weak, as Romans 5.6 admits: 

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” 

As well, you are emotionally unstable. You have feelings that get hurt. You have egos that can be damaged. You have a will that can flag. You have motivations that drastically fluctuate. Some feel so badly that they destroy themselves by suicide. Others feel so badly that they destroy themselves with sex or drugs or alcohol. Others harm and even kill their fellow man.

Third, you have an intellect that is uninformed. Human beings think we are so smart. And there is no human being who thinks he is so smart as one who is profoundly ignorant. So many are convinced that by ignoring problems they will go away, by devoting yourself to things that interest you, you will somehow survive and that by reading a book to build your vocabulary, you can somehow compensate for decades of intellectual laziness.

Fourth, you are spiritually dead. Scripture is unambiguous on this. According to Ephesians 2.1, anyone who is not genuinely converted is dead in trespasses and sins. That’s you. You are dead spiritually while you are alive physically, but there will come a time when you are both physically and spiritually dead. How can you prevail in anything when you are physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually weak? To revisit Romans 5.6, where is summed up your dilemma with this brief phrase: 

“without strength.” 

Yet, despite these undeniable facts, you conclude to yourself and often to others that you are strong ... all evidence to the contrary. I can’t help but laugh every time the lyrics Helen Reddy sang long ago come to mind: 

“I am strong. I am invincible. I am woman.” 

No one who is dead is strong, whether male or female. 

“BY STRENGTH SHALL NO MAN PREVAIL.” 

THIS STATEMENT ALSO RECOGNIZES THAT THE LOST PERSON THINKS HE WILL PREVAIL 

This was the main feature of my own outlook on life before my conversion. I recognized that man wasn’t particularly strong, or smart, or emotionally stable. I had no comprehension of spiritual deadness. But I was convinced for many years that I would figure out a way.

You who concludes that you will, somehow, prevail in your lifelong conflict with God, consider this: He is the Lord God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, who knows the end from the beginning, and who laughs and has them in derision who imagine vain things against Him, Psalm 2.

Sir, Ma’am, you will not prevail against God! You will not. You cannot. And were you not wicked to the very core, fully deserving of an eternity in the lake of fire, you would not dare try to prevail against God but would fall before Him and plead for mercy, that you might escape the wrath of His hot displeasure. 

“BY STRENGTH SHALL NO MAN PREVAIL.” 

THIS STATEMENT FINALLY RECOGNIZES THAT THE LOST PERSON DISCOUNTS GOD 

Think about this for a moment. Is this not the reason you think you are strong since you cannot think yourself strong in the face of any reflection on God’s creative acts or miracles? It’s only when you resort to your practical atheism, with God nowhere in your thoughts that you can imagine yourself strong, or competent, or durable?

And what about this conclusion that you’ve drawn that you will somehow prevail when all is said and done in this conflict you have with God? From where does this optimism come, since we know it doesn’t come from God? Why would God seek to convince His enemies that they shall prevail against Him? God would not do such a thing because it simply is not true that any shall prevail against Him.

No, the only way you can think the way you do, can live the way you do, can plan for any kind of a future the way you do, can have hopes and aspirations for yourself and your family and your children the way you do, is to discount God, to push Him from your thoughts and considerations, to pretend that He is not, or that He does not matter.

But what kind of a person are you if God is not in all your thoughts? Psalm 10.4: 

“The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” 

For you to think you are strong enough that you do not need God’s strength, strong enough that you can even imagine prevailing against God, you must completely discount God, remove Him from all your thoughts. It takes pride to do what you’ve done, my friend, and it shows you to be wicked. 

“By strength shall no man prevail.” 

This phrase has rung in my ears all week long and is a cause of rejoicing to me as it was, no doubt, to Hannah. You see, the Christian is one who knows he has no strength, who has no strength to prevail, and who can only trust in the strength that God provides.

But you who are not saved, who try to raise your children by your wits, who try to live your life by your own wits, have to look at things a different way. Because you discount God, you must imagine yourself to have strength to prevail, since to try and tackle life any other way would be too depressing, too discouraging, and too hopeless. So, you encourage yourself, boost yourself, motivate yourself, by thinking positive thoughts and doing all the other things unsaved people do to propagandize themselves, and to trick themselves into thinking things that are simply not true.

But you are wrong. You think you are strong, but not only are you weak, you are dead. You think you will prevail, but you will only fail, you can only fail.

“Is there no hope, pastor?” Yes, after a fashion. And I would be honored to talk to you about such hope.

But not here. Not now. Perhaps after the service. If you are watching this message online, I suggest you reach out to me via e-mail at Pastor@CalvaryRoadBaptist.Church

__________

[1] Isaiah 2.19, 21

[2] Genesis 28.11

[3] Numbers 31.8

[4] Joshua 7; 22.20

[5] Judges 16.1-21

[6] Matthew 27.1-5

Would you like to contact Dr. Waldrip about this sermon? Please contact him by clicking on the link below. Please do not change the subject within your email message. Thank you.

Pastor@CalvaryRoadBaptist.Church