FRIDAY - 4TH MARCH, 2022
MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO
WARNING TO BOASTERS OF VICTORY BEFORE THE BATTLE
Read I Kings 20:1-20
I Kings 20:11, KJV
"And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off."
One of the confusing statements to many minds in the Bible is this one. What does it means?
Who's he that puts on his harness? This is the warrior that's just getting ready for war. Who's he that puts off his harness? That's he who has just finished battling.
There's a difference between he that has fought a battle and already knows his place and any whose fate in battle has not been decided. If someone puts on his harness or armour and goes to battle, no matter how good a warrior he is, two fates are before him. He either wins or loses. He won't know which would be his outcome until the battle ends. Even if all the parameters of measuring success of wars tends to assure him of victory, he's still like a man whose success is not solely determined by him but also by another. Who don't know therefore that the opponent also even if he's small will not just give up like that. For this reason, war can't be decided to have favoured any until it ends.
Ahab knowing this told Benhadad not to threaten him with war. Benhadad had earlier sent messengers to ask Ahab of his gold, silver, wife, children and precious things. This king seeing he has been besieged obliged. Later on, the uncontentious Benhadad returned to him with another message. That he will send messengers to rummage through his kingdom to pick anything they found precious. Now, he's no longer allowing Ahab the free hand and choice to send whatsoever he deems to give.
This is where Ahab said no. He counselled with the elders and they said he should refuse Benhadad. Having being made strong in this manner, he sent the messenger of Benhadad to him not to boast with certainty as if he had fought the war and had obtained result. His threat should be humble rather.
That's how that statement originates. Who don't know that in life, situations may not go as fathomed. Life is unpredictable and we should always be humble at every time and at every situation. The reason is very simple. Life can defy our expectation. Did the Bible not say, horses are prepared for the day of battle but victory belongs to the Lord [Prov. 21:31]."
If victory is what the Lord gives, then it means there are things you can't guarantee personally because it not only solely relies on you. You must rely on the graciousness of another to give or donate. If all of us know this, we ought to manifest humility in our speech and in deed. The reason is simple, "he that puts on his armour shouldn't boast like he that's putting it off." A fellow who has claimed victory can boast, celebrate, rejoice and noise his success and claims around but any who's yet to enter battle ought to speak in a measure that shows probability of winning or losing.
Be humble! Don't be drunk in pride. Benhadad with all his boasts eventually lose.
PRAYER: Lord, equip me with humility and foresight. May I speak according to the measure you've given me even if I prophesy. I banish pride and drunkenness.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 27:14-Numbers 1:54; Mark 11:1-26; Psalm 46:1-11; Proverbs 10:23
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