1 Kings 20:10-12 Boasting!

 “Then Ben-Hadad sent to him and said, “The gods do so to me, and more also, if enough dust is left of Samaria for a handful for each of the people who follow me.” So the king of Israel answered and said, “Tell him, ‘Let not the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off.’ ” And it happened when Ben-Hadad heard this message, as he and the kings were drinking at the command post, that he said to his servants, “Get ready.” And they got ready to attack the city.” ‭‭I Kings‬ ‭20‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. The gods do so to me, and more also: Jezebel swore a similar oath of vengeance against Elijah (1 Kings 19:2).

b. Let not the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off: Though it was uncharacteristically bold speech from Ahab, it was also a wonderful piece of wisdom. The idea is that you should do your boasting after the battle, not before.

c. They got ready to attack the city: Syria and its allies readied, and the city of Samaria braced for a furious attack. (Guzik)

Boasting!

We’ve all been there, patting ourselves on the back about this or that but since being born again I prefer to boast about Jesus and what He has done for me! I recognize that I am a wretched sinner and without His grace and mercy of the cross I would be doomed to hell. As I age in my sunset years I know my life expectancy is not very long but I also know that the earth is not my home and look forward to my home in heaven! 

I love this quote from Charles Spurgeon, “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”

We routinely pray for family members that are un-saved, praying that God puts the draw on them to His Son Jesus. I also love this quote from Charles Spurgeon on prayer, “Prayer pulls the rope below and the great bell rings above in the ears of God. Some scarcely stir the bell, for they pray so languidly. Others give but an occasional pluck at the rope. But he who wins with heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly and pulls continuously, with all his might.”

How do you grasp the prayer rope?

Blessings