2 Maccabees 10:29-38: a reflection

29When the battle became strong, there appeared out of heaven to their adversaries five splendid men on horses with bridles of gold, and two of them, leading on the Jews, 30and taking Maccabaeus in the midst of them, and covering him with their own armor, guarded him from wounds, while they shot arrows and thunderbolts at the enemies. For this reason, they were blinded and thrown into confusion, and were cut to pieces, filled with bewilderment. 31Twenty thousand five hundred were slain, beside six hundred cavalry. 32Timotheus himself fled into a stronghold called Gazara, a fortress of great strength, where Chaereas was in command. 33Then Maccabaeus and his men were glad and laid siege to the fortress for four days. 34Those who were within, trusting in the strength of the place, blasphemed exceedingly, and hurled out impious words. 35But at dawn of the fifth day, certain young men of Maccabaeus’ company, inflamed with anger because of the blasphemies, assaulted the wall with masculine force and with furious anger, and cut down whoever came in their way. 36Others climbing up in the same way, while the enemies were distracted with those who had made their way within, set fire to the towers, and kindled fires that burned the blasphemers alive, while others broke open the gates, and, having given entrance to the rest of the band, occupied the city. 37They killed Timotheus, who was hidden in a cistern, and his brother Chaereas, and Apollophanes. 38When they had accomplished these things, they blessed the Lord with hymns and thanksgiving, blessing him who provides great benefits to Israel and gives them the victory.

In a fierce battle, the Maccabees receive extraordinary help: heavenly figures appear, shielding their leader and fighting for them, and the enemy is routed. And when the fighting is done and the victory won, notice what the Maccabees do: they blessed the Lord with hymns and thanksgiving, blessing him who provides great benefits to Israel and gives them the victory. They did not congratulate themselves on their triumph; they turned at once to God in praise, crediting him with the victory.

Notice where they directed their thanks: to God. They had fought hard and won, and might have taken pride in their own valor and success. Instead, they recognized that the victory was God's gift, and they responded with hymns and thanksgiving, giving him the credit and the glory. Their first response to success was not self-congratulation but praise of the God who had granted it.

That is a fitting response to our own victories and successes. When we succeed, win, or accomplish something, the pull is to take the credit, to congratulate ourselves, to bask in our achievement. The Maccabees show a better way: to recognize God's hand in our success and to give him the thanks and glory, responding to victory with praise rather than pride. When you succeed or are given a victory, do not simply congratulate yourself. Turn to God in thanksgiving, recognizing his hand in it, and give him the glory. Let your first response to success be praise of the God who granted it, not pride in your own achievement.

Lord, when the Maccabees won their battle, they did not congratulate themselves but turned at once to you with hymns and thanksgiving, blessing you as the one who gave them the victory. Teach me that response to my own successes. When I succeed, win, or accomplish something, keep me from taking the credit, congratulating myself, and basking in my achievement. Help me recognize your hand in my success, and to respond with thanksgiving, giving you the glory. Let my first response to any victory be praise of you, not pride in myself. Thank you for every good gift and every success you grant; help me return them to you in praise, crediting you, not myself, for whatever I accomplish.