Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Jeremiah 9:24, ” ‘But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight,’ declares the Lord. “

Background

I found out yesterday that my brother had won an award for a meteorology research paper he published this past year. He and the others that contributed received a couple thousand dollars to divide among themselves and a plaque recognizing their work. Last night, some of us went to Krispy Kreme to get some hot glazed doughnuts fresh off the line. While we were there, my son broke his own personal record by eating (and keeping down) nine doughnuts. On the ride back home, my daughter was playing some game on a hand-held device and reached the furthest level she had ever reached before losing all her lives. Three accomplishments, each meaningful in their own way, and each spoken of with a certain amount of pride and joy. It was sweet to watch the reactions of each person, the understated, humble explanation from my brother, the over-the-top exuberance of my son, and the simple, delightful twinkle of my daughter. And I don’t think that any of them were acting in contradiction to God’s decree of where to place our boasting.

Application

You and I have no problem spotting someone, whether in the office, on the playing field, or in the mirror, who boasts in their own wisdom, might, or riches of verse twenty-three. We understand that boasting, like money, sex, work, or our tongue, is not evil in and of itself. It is only when we misuse them that the honor fails to point back to our Lord. God’s amazing instruction is to withhold any boasting until we understand and know Him. In my life, that pretty much eliminates any cause for patting myself on the back. As the old saying goes, the more I know Him, the more I realize how little I know Him. But when I do happen to get it right, my heart is most contented when it focuses on His steadfast love, justice and righteousness. When my delight aligns with His delight, then nothing else is worth boasting in. Nothing else compares, nothing else really matters when I step into His world. I may not be there often enough, but it is delightful every single time.

Charge

As we seek Him today, focus on what you boast in and what seems to motivate you. Set your sights on knowing and understanding the God of steadfast love, justice, and righteousness.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words