Have you ever heard the quote below?  Do you know who said it?

“A warrior putting on his sword for battle should not boast like a warrior who has already won.”

Any guesses?  Scroll down ….

Did you guess Solomon?  David?  How about King Ahab?  That is right – the above piece of wisdom came from one of the most wicked kings Israel ever had, partially for his own choices and partially because of his wife.  (Let’s look at it this way – his marriage eventually went to the dogs!)  Goes to show that anyone can have a wise moment …  If you ever want to study a character in the Bible, Ahab is an interesting one.  Glimpses of Glory do peak through his sullenness and general disregard for God and his people.  If you have time to read I Kings 16-22, you can learn a lot about the human condition.

Back to the quote … earlier this week a NBA player whose name I am not going to mention decided to let the world know that he was the best player in the world.  While that may or may not be true, his team did not bring home the trophy.  Perhaps it is similar to counting your chickens before they are hatched or a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.  I think the warrior quote should be added to those pithy sayings.  The end may not always be what is expected.  I know that when it comes to being confident, I do not want to be guilty of claiming a victory that I have not even fought yet like Ben-haded.  Haven’t heard of him?  Maybe that’s because he lost despite overwhelming odds in his favor.  (I Kings 20).  But don’t take my word for it – read the Word for yourself!

²³ This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
    or the strong boast of their strength
    or the rich boast of their riches,
²⁴ but let the one who boasts boast about this:
    that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
    justice and righteousness on earth,
    for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:23-24