The Challenger

2 Kings 14:8

Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, with the challenge: "Come, meet me face to face."

After the final bell of the twelfth round last weekend, the world saw how Juan Manuel Marquez raised both his arms for a self-proclaimed win. Was it plain confidence or shall we call it pride? For the longest time, we’ve heard his camp claiming he was robbed by Pacquiao of two victories. He even wore a yellow shirt with the words ‘Marquez Beat Pacquiao Twice!!’ following his knockout win over Katisidis last year. He even dared wearing it in his promotional visit to the country, to which Pacquiao sadly noted ‘disrespectful’. But the latter kept his calm. It was commendable how last Sunday, we saw him again kneeling on his corner before the announcement.  With those boos and beer cups thrown after the decision, all the more we saw grace under pressure. Truly, a head held high is far better that both arms raised in pride.

Chapter fourteen tells of a story of another challenger, Amaziah. He became well-known for defeating ten thousand Edomites and for throwing his ten thousand captives from the top of the cliff.  With that fresh victory, he sent a messenger to the northern kingdom, calling a face-to-face fight with King Jehoash. It wasn’t without context actually, for Israel troops raided Judean towns, killing three thousand people and carried off great quantities of plunder.  There’s a side story to that too, which Amaziah himself was responsible. That too was a result of his foolish decision.  And here again, he’s taking pride in his own calculations. He deceived himself by believing it was his strength that could win a battle. He forgot Who really gives the final say. And because God found him wanting, in the end, those hands he raised in conceit were bruisely tied and with his own eyes saw his opponent stripping the glory of his land.

Proverbs 11:2 says ‘When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom’. When we look at the dictionary, pride is more than the outward, conceited bearing of a person. It is actually as natural as saying ‘I deserve this’. It is enjoying the comforts of life without an inch gratitude to God. It is rejoicing over that promotion because to you it meant a job well done. It is looking at your beautiful child and glad she had your genes. Yours? Was it your genes that gave her life? Was it all hardwork that brought you success? You really won’t call it grace that although you’re a sinner, God still blessed you with much? You may hear the crowd loudly cheering for you, but in the end, will their voice even count? May we not forget it is to God we will soon give an account. He knew how many punches really landed and He will make the final decision. Don’t be caught surprised.