Voice:
Today is the 7th of July, Tuesday. Let’s gather our scattered thoughts and be still in His presence.
We pray:
Almighty and everlasting Father,
we thank you that you have brought us safely
to the beginning of this day.
Keep us from falling into sin or running into danger;
order us in all our doings;
and guide us to do always what is right in your eyes:
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 103:1-13
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as It was in the beginning, is
now, and shall be forever. Amen.
1 Samuel 2:1-10
1And Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord;
my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.
2“There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
3Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
4The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble bind on strength.
5Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
6The Lord kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low and he exalts.
8He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
and on them he has set the world.
9“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
for not by might shall a man prevail.
10The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;
against them he will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
In our Old Testament reading from 1st Samuel 2:1-10, Hannah’s Song celebrates the birth of Samuel. His birth was itself a miracle, for Hannah had been barren for many years. Her song bears striking similarity to Mary’s song—the Magnificat—as both proclaim how God chooses to work through the lowly and accomplish His purposes through what seems impossible.
Hannah’s song is about reversal:
- The Lord exalts the poor and needy
- The bows of the mighty are broken
- The barren woman bears children
- The lowly are lifted to places of honour
The Lord is sovereign over all, for “the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world.”
This pattern runs throughout the story of God’s people. Those who fear Him and remain humble are lifted up. Those who are proud and self-reliant are brought low.
Our Lord Jesus Christ captures this truth succinctly:
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)
Why does God favour the humble?
Because the humble are closer to the truth.
Humility allows us to see reality as it is, not as our ego wishes it to be. Pride blinds; humility opens our eyes to our limits and our need for grace.
The humble are teachable—willing to listen, to learn, and to be corrected. The proud cling to illusions; the humble receive truth, even when it is uncomfortable.
Scripture affirms this again and again:
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:2)
Like Hannah and Mary, may we find wisdom to live out today that the Lord may be magnified in our lives.
Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas, 1225-1274
Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen.
Be blessed by this old chorus, Humble Yourselves
Daily Devotion 
Leave a comment