April 20, 2025 • 24 mins
Experience the profound beauty of humility and God's faithfulness through Hannah's heartfelt prayer.
In this episode, we explore the depth of being 'poor in spirit' and how it opens the doors to the kingdom of heaven. Join us for a powerful journey through Hannah's prayer, reflecting on our need for divine guidance and grace.
Today's Bible verse is Matthew 5:3, from the King James Version.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew five three. Heavenly Father, we are
reminded of the beauty of humility and the necessity of
recognizing our spiritual poverty before you in a world that
(00:20):
often prizes self sufficiency and worldly achievements. Teach us the
value of being poor in spirit. Teach us the importance
of understanding our need for your guidance and grace in
every aspect of our lives. Lord, help us to embrace
this blessed state of humility, knowing that it opens the
(00:45):
door to the Kingdom of heaven. May we always seek
you first, relying not on our own wisdom or strength,
but on your endless love and mercy. Fill our heart
with the peace and joy that comes from surrendering to you,
(01:05):
and let our lives be a testament to the riches
that are found in living fully in You. In Jesus' name,
we pray, Amen. Thank you for praying with me today.
This is the Jesus Podcast, the Gospel Brought to life.
(01:25):
Remain here for stories inspired by the Sermon on the Mount.
If this podcast has blessed you, share it with a
friend that small act helps us tremendously, thanks for making
the mission possible. The afternoon sun hung high above the
(01:46):
rolling hills of Galilee. A soft breeze whistled from the sea,
signaling the beginning of something new, fresh alive with springtime,
and the lilies of the field were in full blow.
(02:06):
Jesus stood in the vibrant green grass, soaking in the sunlight.
He opened his eyes and scanned the crowd waiting below
the slope. It was a diverse crowd. He saw men
and women, eyes beaming with anticipation. He saw children laughing
(02:28):
and tickling each other as they sat beside their parents.
He saw the old, the young, the sick, and the healthy.
A few Roman soldiers stood at attention in the back.
Beggars sat with their legs crossed a few yards away.
(02:49):
There were also enemies, pharisees determined to strike him down,
and scribes meticulously searching for flaws in his words. He
loved every one of them. The gentle winds beat the
leaves of the sycamore trees. The grassy slope stretched wide.
(03:14):
People sat there, patiently waiting to hear him speak. Jesus
considered Psalm twenty three. The Lord is my shepherd. I
shall not want. He makes me lie down in green
pastures and leads me beside gentle waters. He restores my soul.
(03:39):
That is what Jesus desired to do. He desired to
lead his sheep to green pastures and still waters. He
desired to restore their weary and anxious souls. He was
their shepherd, and he loved his sheep. Jesus looked at
(04:00):
the people down below and drew a deep breath. Standing
on the mount, with the sea at his back and
the wind carrying his words to eager hearts, he began
the greatest sermon ever preached. Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
Everybody wants to feel important, powerful and prominent. Our world
elevates the loudest, proudest, and most ambitious people, but the
Kingdom of God weighs success on a different scale, a
scale of humility, compassion, and prayer. This is the Jesus Podcast.
I'm Ethan from pray dot Com. Welcome to a new
(04:47):
series exploring the most iconic sermon ever told, the Sermon
on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount was Jesus's
impactful sermon outlining what it meant to thrive in the
Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus's humble ethic contrasted sharply with Rome's
prideful rule and with the Jewish religious system of the time.
(05:09):
While Rome valued power, Jesus valued service to others. While
the Jewish leaders preached love your neighbor and hate your enemy,
Jesus preached loving your enemies as yourself. For the next
few weeks, we'll follow the Sermon on the Mound and
connect it to other stories in the Bible. We'll travel
to a time before Jesus with David Solomon and the
(05:32):
Garden of Eden, will jump forward past the Gospels to
stories from the early Church. The goal is to connect
the Sermon on the Mount to the rest of the
Biblical narrative and to discover how it relates to us today.
Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with what's often
referred to as the Beatitudes. Jesus lays out what it
(05:55):
means to be blessed, though we often consider blessed to
mean filled with bliss, but Jesus has a deeper meaning
of the word. Today will explore what it means to
be poor, in spirit by looking at the story of Hannah.
Her story is the precursor to the great prophet and
judge Samuel.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
It was an age of restlessness and terror. The great
judges had fallen, and the united tribes of Israel were
hanging by a threat. Enemy kingdoms threatened their borders, and
corrupt war lords salivated like ravenous wolves at the sight
of God's flock. Israel was vulnerable. They needed another hero.
(06:45):
Yet the age of heroes seemed to be over. Fickle
hearts replaced faithfulness. Compromise reigned where courage once ruled. Would
God's people fall? Would they be consumed and forgotten in
the annals of history? No, God stood over his people
(07:09):
like a faithful shepherd. He was the watchman, prepared to
send help when they needed it most. However, the salvation
of God wouldn't be beckoned by the sound of trumpets
or war drums. His help wouldn't be summoned through alchemy, magic,
(07:29):
or ritual. No, the Lord's divine plan would be set
in motion by the pure and humble prayers of a
single woman. Her name was Hannah. The rocky hills of
Shiloh were arrayed with newly bloomed wild flowers. The tall
(07:52):
grass danced in the wind as el Cana marched up
with his family. El Cana visited Shilah every year to
make a sacrifice to God. He was among the few
faithful left in a country ravaged by idolatry. El Cana
had two wives, Hannah and Panina. Panina had blessed el
(08:17):
Cana with children. She ensured his legacy was secure for
the next generation. Hannah, however, was barren. She pined after
a child, but her desires and prayers were unanswered. Although
she had not given el Cana a child, he loved
(08:39):
her most. Her gentle spirit and tender heart drew the
best out of el Cana. His favor toward her wasn't hidden.
This caused rifts in the family. Panina lived without the
undivided love of her husband. She hated Hannah cause of it.
(09:03):
The family reached the summit of Mount Shiloh. There, Eli
and his sons presided over the sacrifice. They went through
all the rituals according to the law and held a
feast honoring the Lord. Torch light warmed the tents where
il Cana and his family ate. El Cana gave portions
(09:25):
to Panina and her children, but to Hannah, a double
portion was given. It was an offering of love and affection.
But to Hannah it felt like consolation, because the true
desires of her heart hadn't been given. She was childless,
(09:46):
devoid of purpose. A cacophony of laughter and singing filled
the air as the family dined. However, each moment of
bliss was undercut by a spiteful jab from Panina.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
Oh, isn't that interesting. I'm the one with children, yet
you're the one to get a double portion. I guess
it's fair. Our husband pities you. It's like handing out
food to the poor dogs begging on the road. Sometimes
you just can't help yourself.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
Banina brought her youngest son in close and sat him
on her lap.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
I have mouths to feed, but sure, go ahead and
enjoy the pity meal from our husband.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Hannah stood up and left the tent. She paced in frustration,
quiet and flustered. Tears fell from her cheeks and onto
the dirt below. She uttered a brief and annoying wail
and threw a stone down the hill. El Caana emerged
from the tent and hugged Hannah from behind. Why do
(10:51):
you weep my laugh?
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Why don't you eat and enjoy the blessings of our table?
Speaker 4 (10:58):
You know why?
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Hannah wiped her tears with her sleeve, her lips pursed inward.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Why is your heart so troubled by this? Am I
not more to you than ten sons?
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Hannah looked down and shook her head. You don't understand.
The depths of her sorrow didn't come from a lack
of love, but from a lack of purpose. To a
woman of that time, child bearing was a mark of identity.
Anna felt deprived, poor, and devoid of purpose. El Caana
(11:34):
gave her a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder and retreated
into the tent to finish eating with the others. Anna
wandered up the dirt path leading to the temple. Annina's
obnoxious laughter slowly faded as she approached the large wooden doors.
She slowly entered. The stone floors were cold against her
(11:58):
bare feet. A few candles flickered near the altar. Everything
was quiet, still and peaceful. With each step, Hannah's heart
ached all the more, her hands shook, and her knees
gave out from under her. She fell before the Lord
(12:21):
distressed and alone. Her bitter tears darkened the stone floor.
Her raw and broken cries filled the empty room. They
were mournful melodies, rising like incense to God's ears. O,
(12:41):
Lord of Hosts, Maker of heaven and earth, hear me,
hear my broken cries.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
I ask that you would look after my affliction and
remember me. Don't forget me. If you hear my cries
and give me a sun, I promise to return him
to you. He will be dedicated to you all the
days of his life.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Leaning against the wall of the temple was Eli. He
couldn't hear Hannah's prayer, but he saw her mouth moved.
He saw her quivering jaw, pursed lips and shaking head.
Speaker 4 (13:20):
This woman is drunk, he.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Murmured, rubbing his temples. He approached Hannah, ready to kick
her out of God's house.
Speaker 4 (13:30):
All right, get up. I can't have a drunkard knocking
over the candles. Honestly, how long were you planning on
being here like this? Put the wine away and sleep.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
Eli's grumpy demeanor quickly shifted when he saw Hannah's earnest eyes.
They were swollen from tears, But sober Hannah stood up
and wiped her eyes. She was embarrassed.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
Oh I'm not drunk, my Lord, I'm troubled. I haven't
slipped wine all night.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
I've been Anna paused. She looked at the altar and
the flickering flames of the candles. She sighed and turned
to Eli again.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
I've been pouring out my soul to the Lord. I've
been praying seeking answers. Please don't regard me as a
worthless woman. I'm not drunk, I'm not anxious. I'm frustrated.
I'm poor in spirit.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
Eli stared at Hannah for a while. He could sense
her brokenness. She felt a great deal of lack in
her life. But in the midst of it all, Eli
sensed something else. He discerned a work of God was coming,
something miraculous. With a gentle and fatherly voice, Eli replied, go.
Speaker 4 (15:02):
In peace, my child. May the God of Israel grant
the petition you've made to him.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
Thank you. I'm sorry for the interruption of your evening.
May your servant find favor in your eyes.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Hannah left, still broken, but reassured that God hadn't forgotten her.
She left the temple and walked the path down to
the tent Elkena and the others were still eating and celebrating.
Hannah didn't show her grief on her face. Instead, she
(15:37):
smiled and returned to the table.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Where'd you run off to?
Speaker 1 (15:41):
Hannah kissed him on the cheek and smiled. She didn't answer. Instead,
she chose joy. She chose to be present and hopeful
that God would move on her behalf. The following morning,
the family worshiped again at the altar of the Lord.
(16:05):
They sang hymns of thanksgiving and joy. They made petitions
and asked for blessings. All the while, Hannah maintained her
posture of humility before God. Although she lacked something important,
she knew that God would provide. Hannah embraced her husband
(16:29):
When the family arrived at rama the next day. They
knew each other intimately, and their love conceived a child.
The Lord had remembered her. Nine months later, Hannah held
the new born babe in her arms. He was a
(16:52):
symbol of God's remembrance and favor.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
His name will be Samuel, for I have asked the
Lord for him, and he answered.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Hannah held her child, trusting that God would be faithful
to do great things through him. She dedicated him to
the temple where Eli ministered. Hannah knew God would be faithful,
but she would never have guessed that Samuel would be
(17:23):
the greatest judge Israel had ever known. He would usher
in a great era, a man of God who would
anoint Israel's great king, David. Jesus begins the Beatitudes with
(17:45):
a powerful statement, Blessed of the poor inspirit for theirs
is the Kingdom of Heaven. To be poor in spirit
is to recognize our own spiritual poverty and our need
for God's grace. It's an acknowledgment on our own we
are insufficient, but with God we find our true worth
and our strength. This verse encapsulates Jesus's vision of the
(18:10):
Kingdom of Heaven, the place where humility, dependence on God,
and a contrite heart are valued above all else. A
citizen of Heaven is one who lives with a deep
awareness of their need for God. This isn't a false
humility where we try and find things wrong with us
to feel bad about ourselves. It's a self awareness that
(18:32):
only comes when we've done a deep inventory of our
own hearts. We've explored the depths of our souls looking
for righteousness, and we found only darkness and lack. Then,
in humility we turn to Jesus, knowing that he alone
is sufficient to raise us up to a place of prominence.
(18:56):
Let's now turn to the story of Hannah, found in
First Samuel chapter one, verses ten through twenty. Hannah's story
is a profound illustration of what it means to be
poor in spirit. Hannah was a woman deeply troubled by
her inability to conceive a child. In her distress, she
turns to God with fervent prayer and weeping. In First
(19:21):
Samuel chapter one, verses ten through eleven, it says, in
her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly,
and she made a vow, saying, Lord Almighty, if you
will only look on your servant's misery and remember me,
and not forget your servant, but give her a son,
then I will give him to the Lord for all
the days of his life, and no razor will ever
(19:43):
be used on his head. In First Samuel chapter one,
verses ten and eleven, it says, in her deep anguish,
Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly, and she made
a vow saying Lord Almighty, if you will only look
on your surface vinces misery and remember me, and not
forget your servant, but give her a son, then I
(20:06):
will give him to the Lord for all the days
of his life, and no raisor will ever be used
on his head. Hannah's prayer is a powerful demonstration of
being poor in spirit. She recognizes her helplessness and turns
to God entirely, relying on his mercy and his grace.
(20:28):
Her humility and faithfulness and her supplication highlight the attributes
of a heavenly citizen. Her humility and faithfulness and her
supplication highlight the attributes of a heavenly citizen. When God
answers her prayer and gives her a son, Samuel, she
keeps her promise and dedicates him to the Lord, showing
(20:51):
her continued reliance upon and her gratitude to God. So
how can we, like Hannah live out the value of
being poor in spirit in our everyday lives. First, we
must acknowledge our deep need for God. It seems simple, right,
(21:11):
of course, many of us would say out loud that
we need God, but we don't live like it. In
the daily grind of life. We live like self made
men and women whose success only hinges upon our own
hard work. Prideful people don't want to think of themselves
as blessed by God or lucky. They want to think
that all that they have has been earned. Therefore, all
(21:33):
that they have is what they're entitled to. Pride blocks gratitude,
which leads to a lack of connection to God. Just
as Hannah turned to God in her time of need,
we must recognize our own deep need of Him in
all aspects of our lives. In that light, the second
(21:55):
thing we're considering is practicing humility. Being poor in spirit
is about humility. We should strive for humility in all
of our interactions, recognizing that every good thing comes from
God and that we are called to serve others with
the love of Christ. To be humble doesn't mean to
(22:15):
hate yourself or to denigrate your talents. To be humble
doesn't mean to hate yourself or to denigrate your talents.
It's often said that humility isn't thinking less of yourself,
but thinking about yourself less. I love the word of
worship in the Old Testament Shaka, it means to be prostrate,
(22:38):
to bow down low. This is an excellent mindset to
have when we worship the Lord, it places God high
above us. Hannah waited patiently and trusted in God's timing.
In our fast paced world, we often want immediate results,
but living as a citizen of Heaven means true that
(23:00):
God's timing is perfect and that He knows what is
best for us. Next, we must express gratitude. When God
answers our prayers. We must remember to thank Him and,
like Hannah, continue to dedicate our blessings back to Him.
This can be through our time, our talents, resources, acknowledging
(23:23):
that everything that we have is a gift from God.
Think about all the times you've prayed earnestly for something
day and night. We ask God for this one thing,
then when God answers, we move on to the next thing.
Gratitude is about pausing long enough to consider the weight
(23:45):
of what God has done for us as we reflect
on Jesus' words, Blessed are the poor and spirit for
theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven and the story of
Hannah's heartfelt prayer. Let us strive to live with a
humble spirit, only relying upon God. May we embody the
character of a heavenly citizen, recognizing our need for God's
(24:08):
grace and sharing his love and mercy with those around us.
Let us pray together that we may grow in humility
and dependence upon our Lord, trusting in his perfect plan
for our lives. Thanks again for joining us on the
Jesus Podcast. Tomorrow, we'll continue our journey through the Sermon
on the Mount. Next is Blessed are those who mourn.
(24:31):
To showcase that truth. We'll dive into the lives of
two women who were caught up in a storm of
dysfunction and backbiting. Through it all, God brought comfort
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew five three. Heavenly Father, we are
reminded of the beauty of humility and the necessity of
recognizing our spiritual poverty before you in a world that
(00:20):
often prizes self sufficiency and worldly achievements. Teach us the
value of being poor in spirit. Teach us the importance
of understanding our need for your guidance and grace in
every aspect of our lives. Lord, help us to embrace
this blessed state of humility, knowing that it opens the
(00:45):
door to the Kingdom of heaven. May we always seek
you first, relying not on our own wisdom or strength,
but on your endless love and mercy. Fill our heart
with the peace and joy that comes from surrendering to you,
(01:05):
and let our lives be a testament to the riches
that are found in living fully in You. In Jesus' name,
we pray, Amen. Thank you for praying with me today.
This is the Jesus Podcast, the Gospel Brought to life.
(01:25):
Remain here for stories inspired by the Sermon on the Mount.
If this podcast has blessed you, share it with a
friend that small act helps us tremendously, thanks for making
the mission possible. The afternoon sun hung high above the
(01:46):
rolling hills of Galilee. A soft breeze whistled from the sea,
signaling the beginning of something new, fresh alive with springtime,
and the lilies of the field were in full blow.
(02:06):
Jesus stood in the vibrant green grass, soaking in the sunlight.
He opened his eyes and scanned the crowd waiting below
the slope. It was a diverse crowd. He saw men
and women, eyes beaming with anticipation. He saw children laughing
(02:28):
and tickling each other as they sat beside their parents.
He saw the old, the young, the sick, and the healthy.
A few Roman soldiers stood at attention in the back.
Beggars sat with their legs crossed a few yards away.
(02:49):
There were also enemies, pharisees determined to strike him down,
and scribes meticulously searching for flaws in his words. He
loved every one of them. The gentle winds beat the
leaves of the sycamore trees. The grassy slope stretched wide.
(03:14):
People sat there, patiently waiting to hear him speak. Jesus
considered Psalm twenty three. The Lord is my shepherd. I
shall not want. He makes me lie down in green
pastures and leads me beside gentle waters. He restores my soul.
(03:39):
That is what Jesus desired to do. He desired to
lead his sheep to green pastures and still waters. He
desired to restore their weary and anxious souls. He was
their shepherd, and he loved his sheep. Jesus looked at
(04:00):
the people down below and drew a deep breath. Standing
on the mount, with the sea at his back and
the wind carrying his words to eager hearts, he began
the greatest sermon ever preached. Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
Everybody wants to feel important, powerful and prominent. Our world
elevates the loudest, proudest, and most ambitious people, but the
Kingdom of God weighs success on a different scale, a
scale of humility, compassion, and prayer. This is the Jesus Podcast.
I'm Ethan from pray dot Com. Welcome to a new
(04:47):
series exploring the most iconic sermon ever told, the Sermon
on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount was Jesus's
impactful sermon outlining what it meant to thrive in the
Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus's humble ethic contrasted sharply with Rome's
prideful rule and with the Jewish religious system of the time.
(05:09):
While Rome valued power, Jesus valued service to others. While
the Jewish leaders preached love your neighbor and hate your enemy,
Jesus preached loving your enemies as yourself. For the next
few weeks, we'll follow the Sermon on the Mound and
connect it to other stories in the Bible. We'll travel
to a time before Jesus with David Solomon and the
(05:32):
Garden of Eden, will jump forward past the Gospels to
stories from the early Church. The goal is to connect
the Sermon on the Mount to the rest of the
Biblical narrative and to discover how it relates to us today.
Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with what's often
referred to as the Beatitudes. Jesus lays out what it
(05:55):
means to be blessed, though we often consider blessed to
mean filled with bliss, but Jesus has a deeper meaning
of the word. Today will explore what it means to
be poor, in spirit by looking at the story of Hannah.
Her story is the precursor to the great prophet and
judge Samuel.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
It was an age of restlessness and terror. The great
judges had fallen, and the united tribes of Israel were
hanging by a threat. Enemy kingdoms threatened their borders, and
corrupt war lords salivated like ravenous wolves at the sight
of God's flock. Israel was vulnerable. They needed another hero.
(06:45):
Yet the age of heroes seemed to be over. Fickle
hearts replaced faithfulness. Compromise reigned where courage once ruled. Would
God's people fall? Would they be consumed and forgotten in
the annals of history? No, God stood over his people
(07:09):
like a faithful shepherd. He was the watchman, prepared to
send help when they needed it most. However, the salvation
of God wouldn't be beckoned by the sound of trumpets
or war drums. His help wouldn't be summoned through alchemy, magic,
(07:29):
or ritual. No, the Lord's divine plan would be set
in motion by the pure and humble prayers of a
single woman. Her name was Hannah. The rocky hills of
Shiloh were arrayed with newly bloomed wild flowers. The tall
(07:52):
grass danced in the wind as el Cana marched up
with his family. El Cana visited Shilah every year to
make a sacrifice to God. He was among the few
faithful left in a country ravaged by idolatry. El Cana
had two wives, Hannah and Panina. Panina had blessed el
(08:17):
Cana with children. She ensured his legacy was secure for
the next generation. Hannah, however, was barren. She pined after
a child, but her desires and prayers were unanswered. Although
she had not given el Cana a child, he loved
(08:39):
her most. Her gentle spirit and tender heart drew the
best out of el Cana. His favor toward her wasn't hidden.
This caused rifts in the family. Panina lived without the
undivided love of her husband. She hated Hannah cause of it.
(09:03):
The family reached the summit of Mount Shiloh. There, Eli
and his sons presided over the sacrifice. They went through
all the rituals according to the law and held a
feast honoring the Lord. Torch light warmed the tents where
il Cana and his family ate. El Cana gave portions
(09:25):
to Panina and her children, but to Hannah, a double
portion was given. It was an offering of love and affection.
But to Hannah it felt like consolation, because the true
desires of her heart hadn't been given. She was childless,
(09:46):
devoid of purpose. A cacophony of laughter and singing filled
the air as the family dined. However, each moment of
bliss was undercut by a spiteful jab from Panina.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
Oh, isn't that interesting. I'm the one with children, yet
you're the one to get a double portion. I guess
it's fair. Our husband pities you. It's like handing out
food to the poor dogs begging on the road. Sometimes
you just can't help yourself.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
Banina brought her youngest son in close and sat him
on her lap.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
I have mouths to feed, but sure, go ahead and
enjoy the pity meal from our husband.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Hannah stood up and left the tent. She paced in frustration,
quiet and flustered. Tears fell from her cheeks and onto
the dirt below. She uttered a brief and annoying wail
and threw a stone down the hill. El Caana emerged
from the tent and hugged Hannah from behind. Why do
(10:51):
you weep my laugh?
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Why don't you eat and enjoy the blessings of our table?
Speaker 4 (10:58):
You know why?
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Hannah wiped her tears with her sleeve, her lips pursed inward.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Why is your heart so troubled by this? Am I
not more to you than ten sons?
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Hannah looked down and shook her head. You don't understand.
The depths of her sorrow didn't come from a lack
of love, but from a lack of purpose. To a
woman of that time, child bearing was a mark of identity.
Anna felt deprived, poor, and devoid of purpose. El Caana
(11:34):
gave her a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder and retreated
into the tent to finish eating with the others. Anna
wandered up the dirt path leading to the temple. Annina's
obnoxious laughter slowly faded as she approached the large wooden doors.
She slowly entered. The stone floors were cold against her
(11:58):
bare feet. A few candles flickered near the altar. Everything
was quiet, still and peaceful. With each step, Hannah's heart
ached all the more, her hands shook, and her knees
gave out from under her. She fell before the Lord
(12:21):
distressed and alone. Her bitter tears darkened the stone floor.
Her raw and broken cries filled the empty room. They
were mournful melodies, rising like incense to God's ears. O,
(12:41):
Lord of Hosts, Maker of heaven and earth, hear me,
hear my broken cries.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
I ask that you would look after my affliction and
remember me. Don't forget me. If you hear my cries
and give me a sun, I promise to return him
to you. He will be dedicated to you all the
days of his life.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Leaning against the wall of the temple was Eli. He
couldn't hear Hannah's prayer, but he saw her mouth moved.
He saw her quivering jaw, pursed lips and shaking head.
Speaker 4 (13:20):
This woman is drunk, he.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Murmured, rubbing his temples. He approached Hannah, ready to kick
her out of God's house.
Speaker 4 (13:30):
All right, get up. I can't have a drunkard knocking
over the candles. Honestly, how long were you planning on
being here like this? Put the wine away and sleep.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
Eli's grumpy demeanor quickly shifted when he saw Hannah's earnest eyes.
They were swollen from tears, But sober Hannah stood up
and wiped her eyes. She was embarrassed.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
Oh I'm not drunk, my Lord, I'm troubled. I haven't
slipped wine all night.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
I've been Anna paused. She looked at the altar and
the flickering flames of the candles. She sighed and turned
to Eli again.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
I've been pouring out my soul to the Lord. I've
been praying seeking answers. Please don't regard me as a
worthless woman. I'm not drunk, I'm not anxious. I'm frustrated.
I'm poor in spirit.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
Eli stared at Hannah for a while. He could sense
her brokenness. She felt a great deal of lack in
her life. But in the midst of it all, Eli
sensed something else. He discerned a work of God was coming,
something miraculous. With a gentle and fatherly voice, Eli replied, go.
Speaker 4 (15:02):
In peace, my child. May the God of Israel grant
the petition you've made to him.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
Thank you. I'm sorry for the interruption of your evening.
May your servant find favor in your eyes.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Hannah left, still broken, but reassured that God hadn't forgotten her.
She left the temple and walked the path down to
the tent Elkena and the others were still eating and celebrating.
Hannah didn't show her grief on her face. Instead, she
(15:37):
smiled and returned to the table.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Where'd you run off to?
Speaker 1 (15:41):
Hannah kissed him on the cheek and smiled. She didn't answer. Instead,
she chose joy. She chose to be present and hopeful
that God would move on her behalf. The following morning,
the family worshiped again at the altar of the Lord.
(16:05):
They sang hymns of thanksgiving and joy. They made petitions
and asked for blessings. All the while, Hannah maintained her
posture of humility before God. Although she lacked something important,
she knew that God would provide. Hannah embraced her husband
(16:29):
When the family arrived at rama the next day. They
knew each other intimately, and their love conceived a child.
The Lord had remembered her. Nine months later, Hannah held
the new born babe in her arms. He was a
(16:52):
symbol of God's remembrance and favor.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
His name will be Samuel, for I have asked the
Lord for him, and he answered.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Hannah held her child, trusting that God would be faithful
to do great things through him. She dedicated him to
the temple where Eli ministered. Hannah knew God would be faithful,
but she would never have guessed that Samuel would be
(17:23):
the greatest judge Israel had ever known. He would usher
in a great era, a man of God who would
anoint Israel's great king, David. Jesus begins the Beatitudes with
(17:45):
a powerful statement, Blessed of the poor inspirit for theirs
is the Kingdom of Heaven. To be poor in spirit
is to recognize our own spiritual poverty and our need
for God's grace. It's an acknowledgment on our own we
are insufficient, but with God we find our true worth
and our strength. This verse encapsulates Jesus's vision of the
(18:10):
Kingdom of Heaven, the place where humility, dependence on God,
and a contrite heart are valued above all else. A
citizen of Heaven is one who lives with a deep
awareness of their need for God. This isn't a false
humility where we try and find things wrong with us
to feel bad about ourselves. It's a self awareness that
(18:32):
only comes when we've done a deep inventory of our
own hearts. We've explored the depths of our souls looking
for righteousness, and we found only darkness and lack. Then,
in humility we turn to Jesus, knowing that he alone
is sufficient to raise us up to a place of prominence.
(18:56):
Let's now turn to the story of Hannah, found in
First Samuel chapter one, verses ten through twenty. Hannah's story
is a profound illustration of what it means to be
poor in spirit. Hannah was a woman deeply troubled by
her inability to conceive a child. In her distress, she
turns to God with fervent prayer and weeping. In First
(19:21):
Samuel chapter one, verses ten through eleven, it says, in
her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly,
and she made a vow, saying, Lord Almighty, if you
will only look on your servant's misery and remember me,
and not forget your servant, but give her a son,
then I will give him to the Lord for all
the days of his life, and no razor will ever
(19:43):
be used on his head. In First Samuel chapter one,
verses ten and eleven, it says, in her deep anguish,
Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly, and she made
a vow saying Lord Almighty, if you will only look
on your surface vinces misery and remember me, and not
forget your servant, but give her a son, then I
(20:06):
will give him to the Lord for all the days
of his life, and no raisor will ever be used
on his head. Hannah's prayer is a powerful demonstration of
being poor in spirit. She recognizes her helplessness and turns
to God entirely, relying on his mercy and his grace.
(20:28):
Her humility and faithfulness and her supplication highlight the attributes
of a heavenly citizen. Her humility and faithfulness and her
supplication highlight the attributes of a heavenly citizen. When God
answers her prayer and gives her a son, Samuel, she
keeps her promise and dedicates him to the Lord, showing
(20:51):
her continued reliance upon and her gratitude to God. So
how can we, like Hannah live out the value of
being poor in spirit in our everyday lives. First, we
must acknowledge our deep need for God. It seems simple, right,
(21:11):
of course, many of us would say out loud that
we need God, but we don't live like it. In
the daily grind of life. We live like self made
men and women whose success only hinges upon our own
hard work. Prideful people don't want to think of themselves
as blessed by God or lucky. They want to think
that all that they have has been earned. Therefore, all
(21:33):
that they have is what they're entitled to. Pride blocks gratitude,
which leads to a lack of connection to God. Just
as Hannah turned to God in her time of need,
we must recognize our own deep need of Him in
all aspects of our lives. In that light, the second
(21:55):
thing we're considering is practicing humility. Being poor in spirit
is about humility. We should strive for humility in all
of our interactions, recognizing that every good thing comes from
God and that we are called to serve others with
the love of Christ. To be humble doesn't mean to
(22:15):
hate yourself or to denigrate your talents. To be humble
doesn't mean to hate yourself or to denigrate your talents.
It's often said that humility isn't thinking less of yourself,
but thinking about yourself less. I love the word of
worship in the Old Testament Shaka, it means to be prostrate,
(22:38):
to bow down low. This is an excellent mindset to
have when we worship the Lord, it places God high
above us. Hannah waited patiently and trusted in God's timing.
In our fast paced world, we often want immediate results,
but living as a citizen of Heaven means true that
(23:00):
God's timing is perfect and that He knows what is
best for us. Next, we must express gratitude. When God
answers our prayers. We must remember to thank Him and,
like Hannah, continue to dedicate our blessings back to Him.
This can be through our time, our talents, resources, acknowledging
(23:23):
that everything that we have is a gift from God.
Think about all the times you've prayed earnestly for something
day and night. We ask God for this one thing,
then when God answers, we move on to the next thing.
Gratitude is about pausing long enough to consider the weight
(23:45):
of what God has done for us as we reflect
on Jesus' words, Blessed are the poor and spirit for
theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven and the story of
Hannah's heartfelt prayer. Let us strive to live with a
humble spirit, only relying upon God. May we embody the
character of a heavenly citizen, recognizing our need for God's
(24:08):
grace and sharing his love and mercy with those around us.
Let us pray together that we may grow in humility
and dependence upon our Lord, trusting in his perfect plan
for our lives. Thanks again for joining us on the
Jesus Podcast. Tomorrow, we'll continue our journey through the Sermon
on the Mount. Next is Blessed are those who mourn.
(24:31):
To showcase that truth. We'll dive into the lives of
two women who were caught up in a storm of
dysfunction and backbiting. Through it all, God brought comfort
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