1 Samuel 2:3-5
In this chapter, Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, offers a prayer of praise up to God after she was granted her desire of a child. One of the things that she mentions during her prayer is condemning those who speak proudly and arrogantly. Hannah might have been thinking of Peninnah, who was Elkanah’s other wife and had several children while Hannah was barren and still praying for a child. The reason that Hannah gives for us to remain humble and reject pride is because God is the judge of our actions. When being judged by humans, they may think that we have something to be proud of. But when being judged by God, we have nothing. The Bible says even our best deeds are like filthy rags in the holy eyes of God. Hannah emphasizes the power of God as she describes his ability to break the strong and lift up the weak. The power of God is another reason for us to humble. When we see His might we should realize that we are not so important after all. David Guzik said, “Hannah wisely told the proud to talk no more and to let no arrogance come from your mouth. Pride can be expressed in many ways, but it usually is expressed by our words. It would be better if proud people just did not talk so much. Knowing that the LORD is the God of knowledge is the best reason to forsake our pride. Next to God, we know nothing. He knows us, and by Him actions are weighed. We should be humble before God because He knows how to humble the proud. Those who were full are now begging and she who has many children has become feeble. If we are strong or exalted now, we should keep humble because the LORD can change our place quickly. We should be humble before God because He knows how to exalt the weak. If we are weak or in a low place now we should wait humbly before God and let Him lift us up.” Instead of speaking proud and arrogant words, we should follow the words of Hannah and recognize that we are found unworthy in the scales of God and stay humble and faithful.