Resentment is an Investment in Contentment

These are my Sermon Notes for 11-20-16.

Last Days Fellowship - Buffalo, NY, USA

Sunday, November 20, 2016, 11:00 Am

"Resentment is an Investment in Contentment"

 Pastor Bob Kuebler

Focus Text for Today: 1 Samuel 1:6-18

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?

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." (Bob's Note: God is mentioned nine times in 13 verses.)

Short History of the Book of Samuel

Time Period in History: approximately between 931 B.C. - 721 B.C.

Author: Samuel the Prophet is mentioned as a possible author although he dies in the 25th Chapter. Several other Prophets are mentioned as authors. The exact author is not known. The book was written to provide instruction to the kings. Trust in God and everything will be cool. Trust in man and everything will be destroyed.

Meaning of Samuel: From the Hebrew name שְׁמוּאֵל (Shemu'el) which could mean either "name of God" or "God has heard". As told in the Books of Samuel in the Old Testament, Samuel was the last of the ruling judges. He led the Israelites during a period of domination by the Philistines, who were ultimately defeated in battle at Mizpah. Later he anointed Saul to be the first king of Israel, and even later anointed his successor David.

What Is Resentment? The KJV translates Strong's H3708 Hebrew word - ka`ac. in the following manner: grief (7x), provocation (4x), wrath (4x), sorrow (3x), anger (2x), angry (1x), indignation (1x), provoking (1x), sore (1x), spite (1x).

Outline of Biblical Usage: anger, vexation, provocation, grief, vexation of men; of God, vexation, grief, frustration Mirriam-Webster Dictionary Full Definition of resentment:  a feeling of indignant displeasure or persistent ill will at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury.

1 Samuel 1:16

NKJV "for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now."

AMP "Do not regard your maidservant as a wicked and worthless woman, for I have spoken until now out of my great concern and [bitter] provocation."

MSG "Don’t for a minute think I’m a bad woman. It’s because I’m so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I’ve stayed here so long."

NLT "Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.”

Resentment in The New Living Translation

Job 5:2 Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple.

Job 36:13 For the godless are full of resentment. Even when he punishes them, they refuse to cry out to him for help.

Proverbs 27:3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but the resentment caused by a fool is even heavier.

Key Learning Points for Removing Resentment

•  Hannah did not return resentment for resentment when Eli admonished her for being drunk.
• When faced with resentment, take your bitterness of soul to the mercy-seat of God in prayer.
• Bitterness in your heart will eventually leak out of your mouth.
• Love Potion Number 9 will remove bitterness.
1. Eat the Bread of Life - EVERYDAY! (Matthew 6:11)
2. Do not go to sleep with anger on your mind. (Ephesians 4:26-27)
3. Grievance releasing is the best gift giving. (Matthew 5:23-24)
4. Mind renewal removes resentment by releasing the past. (Romans 12:2)
5. Forgiveness moves with foresight, resentment remains stuck in hindsight. (Philippians 3:13)
6. Focus on the Father. (Colossians 3:1)
7. Get busy, do something for God. (James 1:22)
8. Be good in the face of bad. (Romans 12:21)
9. Be thankful for what you have - resentment makes you think about what you lost. (Hebrews 12:28-29)

Summary & Application

            Hannah's resentment was birthed in a womb closed by God. Out of the womb of Hannah's resentment a prophet was born.  A barren woman viewed as worthless and of minimal importance was used by God immeasurably. Hannah's labor gave birth to a baby named "God has heard." Samuel became the last Judge of Israel and a Prophet who would anoint the first King in the lineage of Christ. It's almost as if God is the great conductor of tragic symphony that becomes a Hallelujah Love Story! 

          Do you feel worthless? Do you have an abundance of complaints that are causing you to harbor resentment? Turn to God, enter His presence, utter your heart-cry and make your vows to Him. Will you return to Him what He has birthed in you? Are you the Prophet that has been birthed in a womb of resentment? Samuel himself had resentment when the people clamored for a King, but he prayed to God. His answer from God was something like this: "Don't be resentful Samuel. They haven't rejected you, but they have rejected Me." 

          If there is bitterness in your soul, it's time to pray and give birth to prophecy. If you harbor resentment, it's time to seek God and ask whom you shall anoint into the kingdom of God. Bitterness has only two results: 1. A bitter end. Or 2. A better hope for a new beginning.

"For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord,

‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster

to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11Amplified Bible (AMP)