Amaziah, King of Judah, picked a fight with Jehoash of Israel when he should have kept his mouth shut.  He was really feeling his oats after a stunning upset victory of the Edomites and he felt nothing could stop him now.  He declares war on Israel. Truly, he said, “come outside and say that to my face.” Jehoash responded, “hey, little boy, you better stay home before you bite off more than you can chew.” But Amaziah wanted this showdown. He wanted to fight and nothing was going to stop him.

Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Spirit according to Galatians Chapter 5. I love what Philip Keller writes: From the hour we begin to take our first feeble, frightened steps as tiny tots we are exhorted to “stand on your own feet.” We are urged and encouraged to “make it on your own.” We are told to “make your own decisions.” We are stimulated to be aggressive, self-assertive, and very self-assured. All of these attributes we are sure will lead to ultimate greatness. In the face of all this it comes to us as a distinct shock to hear our Lord declare: “whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” …The selfless, self-effacing character of God’s love simply does not permit it to strut and parade itself pompously. It will have no part of such a performance. It is not proud, arrogant, puffed up with its own importance.

One certain rule of life that it would have done Amaziah well to remember is pride always comes before a fall. He was soundly defeated and made a servant to the victors in his own land.

Jesus said, “Everyone who honors himself will be humbled, but the person who humbles himself will be honored.”

Chuck
“When He comes on that day, He will receive glory from His holy people – praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believe what we told you about Him.”  2 Thessalonians 1:10