5th.: Hannah’s Eloquent Thanks – As with a Friend
Hannah continued,
“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.
The bows of the mighty are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
They that were full have hired themselves for bread. And they that were hungry ceased,
so that the barren has born seven, and she that has many children waxed feeble.” (1st Sam. 2:3-5).
Hannah turned her attention to Peninnah, Elkanah's other wife.
But then don’t we sometimes speak with one person -
as if we are speaking to another person.
Hannah warned Peninnah to not be proud, for the Lord knows when we are proud.
As Hannah ‘told’ Peninnah, ‘God judges our actions’. He brings down, and makes poor,
those who were strong. And He strengthens those who fell flat on their face.
He lifts up the poor, and gives them much.
We should not fret if we find ourselves ‘preaching at’ a third party,
when spending time alone with the Lord.
God wants us to share our thoughts, as we would to another friend.
“I have called you friends.” – Jesus (John 15:15b)