Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 2 Kings 14 and Psalm 131

Pride comes before a fall, says Proverbs 16:18, and this proved very true of Amaziah, king of Judah.

When the son of Joash began his reign he did what was pleasing to God and, despite not completely purifying their worship, he led Israel relatively well. When the kingdom was firmly in his grip, he executed righteous judgment against those who had murdered his father (as God desired of him according to Exodus 21:12-14) and He chose to obey the Law of the Lord (Deuteronomy 24:16) rather than killing the families of the murderers too, as was the custom of his day.

The highlight of his reign was a great victory over the Edomites. Tragically, basking in this victory made Amaziah proud. First his pride led him to challenge Jehoash, king of Israel, to war. Then his pride would not allow him to back down from his boastful challenge. He “would not listen” to a wise warning, because his pride had his full attention. And pride is a very foolish advisor. Ultimately one man’s pride led to the defeat of his nation’s army, his own capture, the destruction of a large section of Jerusalem’s defensive wall (putting everyone in a weaker position for many years to come), the loss of the national treasury, and the capture of many innocent citizens as hostages (v.11-14).

All human beings, even disciples of Jesus, have a daily battle against pride. Pride is an inflated self-belief, self-interest and self-praise which blinds one to reality and becomes a form of idolatry. If pride is nursed, self will gradually replace Christ as the Lord of the disciple’s life. And because none of us are God, we are utterly incapable of being a wise lord of our own lives. Pride and it’s “partner”, foolishness, will always ultimately lead to destruction.

Heavenly Father, please help me to guard my heart against pride, and to continue to submit to Christ as Lord every day of my life. Protect me from the foolishness of pride and grant me the wisdom that comes from submission to Christ. In His Name I pray. Amen.