1 Kings 20:10-14, “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.’”
Rephrased, “Ben-Hadad sent word to Ahab and threatened that if the people who follow him don’t have enough dust from Samaria to fill their hands, then the gods will do something even more terrible to him.”
“The King of Israel replied, “Convey these words to him: ‘One should not boast like a warrior when putting on his armor, just as he should not exalt himself when taking it off.’”
Life is full of battles and challenges that must be faced every day. While we may come out victorious once, it doesn’t mean that the next battle is already won. This is where the popular saying, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” comes to play.
Though every one of us can feel proud about our past successes and achievements, it’s important to remember that every battle, trial, and life experience are different so feeling confidently prepared for each one is an important virtue we need to cultivate to face life’s adversities.
As the scripture reminds us; the Battle is Long; however, the Battle is Mine Says the Lord. ‘Let the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off.’ With these words in mind let us put our trust in God and rest easy knowing that He will always take care of us.
2 Chronicles 20:14-17, “Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, during the assembly. And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
“Tomorrow goes down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah, and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”
Rephrased, “At that moment, the Spirit of the Lord descended on Jahaziel–son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel and son of Mattaniah (a Levite from Asaph’s descendants) –while he was in the middle of a gathering. Jehoshaphat was determined to fight the enemies, but God spoke through him and said, “Do not be discouraged by the great number of them. This battle is not yours to win, it belongs to God”. He also encouraged Judah and Jerusalem’s inhabitants to listen carefully.”
“Tomorrow, go stand up against them. The Ascent of Ziz will be the sign of their arrival, and you will find them at the end of the brook before arriving at the Wilderness of Jeruel. Don’t feel the need to put up a fight in this battle. Take your position, stay still, and witness the Lord’s salvation who is present with you, Judah and Jerusalem! You should not be afraid or overwhelmed; set out against them tomorrow as the Lord is standing beside you.”
We all have our battles to fight, and it’s important to acknowledge that no two fights are the same. As the saying goes, “Let the one who puts on his armor not boast like the one who takes it off,” meaning that no battle is won without hard work. While we may persevere through certain struggles with more grace and ease than others, every circumstance is different so there is no reason to be filled with pride before you know how things will turn out. Life can always surprise us, so let us not boast about tomorrow for we do not know what a day may bring. Rest easy knowing victory lies ahead if we just stay focused and patient.
Psalms 27:1-2, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth, A stranger, and not your own lips.”
Rephrased, “It’s best to refrain from bragging about your successes for tomorrow holds promise of both good and bad. Let somebody else recognize your talent instead of you self-praising, an unfamiliar face rather than your own mouth.”
Proverbs 18:15-16, “The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.”
Rephrased, “Seeking knowledge is something that a wise person should always do as it can lead to great opportunities. Having a generous heart and being open to learning can help one acquire knowledge which in turn can open new doors for them. A man who is generous with his gifts will be respected by many and will get noticed by powerful people.”
Life is unpredictable and full of challenges–big or small. No one can be sure of what will happen next and how one is unlikely to feel about it. However, with faith in the Lord we can feel a sense of assurance that all our challenges, battles, and trials are taken on by Him and together we will overcome them.
The bible verse “Let not the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off” reminds us that there is no need to brag about our successes when we know they were only accomplished thanks to God’s help.
We also must take caution not to be overly confident as we move forward in life because “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” So let us rest easy knowing that no matter the challenge or battle, it is already won through Christ.
Psalms 34:1-3, “I will always bless the Lord; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”
Rephrased, “I will always be filled with gratitude and appreciation to the Lord, continuously praising and thanking Him. My soul feels joy in glorifying His name and rejoicing in this blessing, inviting others to join me in honoring Him. Together, let us give glory to the Almighty with highest praise!”
In our daily lives, we often must go through various struggles and battles. Even though these battles can be scary and difficult to overcome, they are necessary to reach our goals and succeed. But even when we have won the battle, the Lord reminds us not to boast or be too confident because those experiences do not define who we are or what we will become in the future.
If we hand each battle over to the Lord, trusting in His guidance and wisdom, He will equip us with whatever armor is needed for each victory. No matter what life throws at us, no one knows what tomorrow may bring so it is important that we do not boast about currently conquered troubles as these may only come back stronger later down the road.
Psalms 86:11-13, “Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore. For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.”
Rephrased, “Guide me, Lord, to follow Your path; Enable me to live with truth and honor. Make my heart devoted to You and Godly worship. I will forever be inspired by You and keep praising You from the depths of my being. For I am thankful for your grace towards me as it has delivered me from an abyss of despair.”
We face different battles each day, some of them easy, and some difficult. No matter how hard the battle is and how long it may seem to be, ultimately it belongs to the Lord. This can serve as a comfort for us through tough situations in life. The Lord doesn’t want us to boast or be proud when a battle ends in our favor; rather He wants us to humbly accept His guidance throughout these journeys.
It is important to remember that every battle is unique and tests our resilience differently – so no one should ever consider themselves superior or invincible. Instead, we should remain mindful of the words from Proverbs 27:1 – “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” This could serve as a source of strength against any challenges that may come our way!
Psalms 34:4-7, “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him And delivers them.”
Rephrased, “I called upon the Lord, and He listened to my plea; graciously He freed me from all my anxieties. When they gazed upon Him, their faces lit up with joy, and no trace of shame or embarrassment could be seen.
The distressed man wailed to the heavens and the Lord heard his plea, responding with His divine powers to rescue him from all his perilous situations. God’s angels guard and protect those who revere Him, ensuring their safety and security. This is the greatest gift His loving devotion offers them.”
We should learn to live life every day at a time and not think too far ahead into the future. We never know what each day may bring for us, and all of our struggles, battles, and experiences in life are different from each other. It is said in the Bible that “do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring”.
We should follow this advice as it is important to remember that no one knows exactly where their life will take them tomorrow or even the next hour. It is best to take it one step at a time and understand that we will eventually reach our destination be it big or small because God will always be with us in our battles.
18:1-3, “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So, shall I be saved from my enemies.”
Rephrased, “O Lord, I cherish You, for You are my strength and source of protection. I place my trust in the Lord, who is my rock and fortress. He deprives me from danger and strengthens me – He is my shield, salvation, and stronghold. With a singing heart, I will call on the Lord who alone is worthy to be praised. My hope is that I shall be freed from my adversaries through His grace.”
