Let him that glorieth glory in this

Let him that glorieth glory in this

Scripture:- Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 9:23-24

Observation: You may be wise, you may be mighty, you may be rich. Yet don’t you boast, don’t you be proud. If you must boast, boast only in this, that you understand and know Me, that I am the Lord who shows loving kindness, justice and righteousness.

Some run after education and learning. These are not wrong in themselves but some make it their god. They love to run up long qualifications after their names – degrees, PHDs, lofty names and titles. They may think they are wise and learned and their ego puffs them up.

Some run after fame in their achievements. Climbing the highest mountains, swimming the farthest distances, running the fastest races. Again these are not wrong, but people make them their god. It is all about winning, and the accolades and personal glory that go with being the winner, the champion. They feel so special, so strong because of their achievements.

And many run after money and material riches. One earns his first million, and immediately wants 5. One drives a fine Toyota Altis, but immediately craves for a BMW. Once he attains riches, he feels great and begins to think he has it made.

In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, he calls it self-actualization, to satisfy the great human ambition that is in each of our hearts. But what did Jesus say? Whoever finds his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it! These superficial things give temporary satisfaction, but education and achievement and riches will soon pass away, together with world, but in the end, what truly matters? When all things fade away, all that is left is us and God. When we get to Heaven’s door, would we be able to honestly say that we know the Lord? That we understand Him and know what He wants?

What does God treasure? Loving kindness, justice, righteousness. Are these part of our lives? The most important of these is love. We love because God first loved us. God is love. This is the first thing we must learn and know in our relationship with God – that He loves us, and as His love remains in us, we must love others.

Application:- Examine our lives to see if we have made other things our gods – whether it be education or achievement or money. Come back to the basic most important thing – which is to know God. Thank God for loving you – Father, Spirit, Son.

Prayer:- Thank You, Father in Heaven, that You love me. Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You love me. Thank You, Holy Spirit that You love me. Help me remain in Your love, O Lord, and let me love others with Your love. Let my old man recede, and let the new man come alive in me. In Jesus name, Amen.