READING: 2 Samuel 21-23; Psalms 18; Romans 3
Goodness, it’s easy to boast.
Much of our education pushes us to do well in some arena—to succeed in a way that others notice. Our world pushes us to succeed and praises us when we do, even in the Christian world. We like “pats on the back.” We don’t mind when others recognize our hard work and tell others how well we’ve done. Then, it’s not hard to drop hints to others about the recognition we’ve received. We surely don’t want to brag blatantly, so we brag quietly . . . as if others don’t know what we’re doing.
It’s just too easy in our fallenness to forget that we’re fallen.
Paul’s writing in today’s reading, though, reminds us that we have no room for boasting. After all, we’re all rebellious sinners separated from our righteous Creator. All of us—every one of us—is guilty. We’ve all turned away from Him—but God has justified us and restored us to a relationship with Him. We are guilty, but He is gracious.
And, He alone should be the focus of our boasting.
PRAYER: “God, help me to praise You alone today and not seek praise from others.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21; Romans 4
