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Reflections Podcast
Reflections Podcast
Reflections • Episode 13
When You Feel Powerless
13m • March 24, 2021

What should we do when life is unfair and everything feels out of control? In this episode of the Reflections podcast, we are reflecting on God’s powerful response to the cries of the powerless in 1 Samuel 2.

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What should we do when life is unfair and everything feels out of control? In this episode, we are reflecting on God’s powerful response to the cries of the powerless. If today you are feeling helpless before bullies and institutions, listen in. Today’s message will encourage and empower you. And if you are in a position of authority, stay tuned. This reflection will inspire you to humbly use your power to lift others up.

Bible Reading
1 Samuel 2:1-10

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas has God given you power? How can you use your position to elevate others this week?
  2. In what ways do you feel powerless today? How does today’s message encourage you?
  3. Take a moment to remember Jesus and how his humble suffering led to the power of resurrection life.

Want to Go Deeper?
Check out this episode's Bible study to watch a video and explore more detailed questions for personal study and group discussion.

Show Credits

  • Host: Cheree Hayes
  • Message: Dr. Tim Mackie
  • Production and Bible Reading: Michelle Jones
  • Theme music: Grant William Harold
  • Background Music: Jon Gegelman, Carried Strings of Epic Kings

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2 Chronicles 36:22-23  –  13m
Looking Back to Look Forward
13m
Malachi 3:16-4:6  –  13m
Treasured by God
13m
Daniel 7:9-14  –  13m
There’s Hope in the Nightmare
13m
Esther 4:1-17  –  16m
Who Does God Choose to Work Through?
16m
Ezra 4:1-3, Isaiah 56:3-8  –  15m
Is God Inclusive?
15m
Ezekiel 36:22-36  –  14m
Promise for New Hearts
14m
Lamentations 3:19-33  –  14m
Learning How to Grieve from Lamentations
14m
Jeremiah 4:16-28, 1 Thessalonians 5  –  15m
The Deep Anguish of God
15m
Song of Songs 8:6-7  –  15m
Wisdom from Sensual Love Poetry?
15m
Ecclesiastes 4:4-12  –  15m
One Handful of Rest
15m
Isaiah 42:1-16  –  14m
Power of Metaphor
14m
Proverbs 1:1-7  –  13m
How to Live Wisely
13m
Job 38:1-18, Job 42:1-6  –  15m
How God Replies to Job’s Suffering
15m
Jonah 4:1-11, Exodus 34:5-9, 1 Kings 19:3-5  –  14m
God’s Mercy on Our Enemy
14m
Hosea 14:1-9  –  14m
What God Wants From Us
14m
Isaiah 61  –  12m
What Good News Looks Like
12m
1 John 1  –  12m
Message of the Prophets
12m
2 Kings 25  –  14m
What God Does About Suffering
14m
1 Kings 6  –  14m
Redeeming Disappointment
14m
2 Samuel 7  –  14m
Faithful Through Failure
14m
1 Samuel 2  –  13m
When You Feel Powerless
13m
Ruth 2  –  12m
How God Treats His Enemies
12m
Judges‬ 2  –  12m
When We Walk Out on God
12m
14m
Deuteronomy 30  –  11m
Understanding Ancient Law
11m
Deuteronomy 4  –  12m
God's Wisdom on Display
12m
Numbers 13  –  11m
Trusting God in the Wilderness
11m
Leviticus 25  –  13m
Gift of Rest
13m
Hebrews 10  –  12m
Meaning of Sacrifice
12m
Exodus 19  –  12m
Rescued for a Purpose
12m
Exodus 3  –  15m
When We Cry Out
15m
Genesis 32  –  13m
Wrestling God
13m
Genesis 1-3  –  15m
Why God Gave Choice
15m

Reflect

Once you've listened to the podcast, take time to reflect on these questions.

  1. In what areas has God given you power? How can you use your position to elevate others this week?
  2. In what ways do you feel powerless today? How does today’s message encourage you?
  3. Take a moment to remember Jesus and how his humble suffering led to the power of resurrection life.

Go Deeper

If you would like to dive deeper, use these Scriptures and questions for personal study or small group discussion.

When you feel powerless and alone in your hardship, remember that you are not alone. You stand alongside amazing people like Hannah, who brought her pain to God even when she couldn’t see how his plan would work out. The biblical story honors the experience that many of us have in times of suffering. God sees and cares for his people. He gives strength to the weak and power to the faint. All those who wait patiently for God learn that he has a habit of bringing new hope through the greatest of challenges.

Message Question
How did Tim’s message challenge or encourage you today?

Read: 1 Samuel 1:1-20, 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Luke 1:46-55

  1. Review 1 Samuel 1:1-6. Describe Hannah’s painful situation in your own words. In what ways can you relate to Hannah?
  2. Continue to review 1 Samuel 1:1-6. Why do you think Peninnah bullied Hannah? In what areas has God given you power? How can you use your position to elevate others this week?
  3. How do people respond to God and others in painful times? Review 1 Samuel 1:10-20. How did Hannah respond to God and others in her suffering?
  4. Review 1 Samuel 1:17-18. What did Hannah need to trust and understand about God, herself, and her situation in order to feel resolved? How does her prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 demonstrate her trust and understanding?
  5. Notice how the word “anointed” is used in 1 Samuel 2:10. In Hebrew the word is mashiakh, or messiah, and it’s the first time this word is used to describe a future king. With Jesus the Messiah in mind, review Hannah’s prayer (1 Samuel 2:1-10). What do you observe?
  6. Mary, the mother of Jesus, alluded to Hannah’s poetic prayer many times in her own prayers. Read Mary’s words in Luke 1:46-55 and compare them to Hannah’s words in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. What do you observe?
  7. Take a moment to consider how Jesus’ humble suffering led to the power of resurrection life. Express your appreciation to him in a prayer. Be honest about the ways you have misused your power or underestimated the kindness of his power toward you. Ask for his help and trust that he hears you.
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