hiking2christ

And the king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.’” – 1 Kings 20:11

In a world where everyone thinks they are great or exceptional, we think we can accomplish more than we actually can. Because of this, the things we promise to do often don’t get done. We like to tell people our plans, and then promptly forget what the plans are. While this is deemed normal in many sectors of the business world, this must not be so for the believer in Jesus Christ.

There is a great section in 1 Kings 20 that illustrates this truth perfectly. The head of the Syrian army is bragging about how he will defeat the army of Israel. He starts pressing demands on the King of Israel, the wicked Ahab, and Ahab concedes to many of themuntil the commander tries to cheat him by taking more than he had originally asked for. Ahab says, No more, and the Syrian king readies his army and threatens Ahab and the people of Israel. He tells Ahab he is going to wipe out Israel and the king as well. This is when Ahab delivers this great truth found in 1 Kings 20:11. The meaning of this profound statement? It is easy to brag about what you are going to do before you do it. The proof in your ability to do it is in the completion of the action. Or, how we most commonly say it today, The proof is in the pudding.

We need to take this warning to heart. We must not be like the Syrian king, boasting about what we are going to do tomorrow and then not doing it. This king certainly tried to destroy Israel, but he was soundly defeated not once, but twice.

If you say you are going to pray for someone, do it!

If you tell your kids you are going to take them somewhere, take them!

If you say to your neighbor, We need to have you over for dinner sometime, have them over for dinner!

We must not be people who say one thing and do another. We must not over-promise and under deliver. Say what you mean and mean what you say!

– Hayden Norris