READING: Jeremiah 9-11, 1 Timothy 6
“Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me.”
Jeremiah 9:23
Spend any significant amount of time with people, and it’s usually easy to determine what people want to brag about. For some, it’s their knowledge and degrees; years of academic training have resulted in “letters” behind their names. For others, their bragging point is their money. They may not speak directly about their dollars, but they let you know what possessions they own. Others brag about their athletic prowess, making everybody aware of all they’ve accomplished through their hard work. Still others brag about their positions, continually reminding others about their authority and power.
All of this bragging might make sense in the world’s eyes, but none of it points to anything that makes an eternal difference. Writing to a people facing the judgment of God, Jeremiah reminded them of what really matters: “Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 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’” (Jer. 9:23-24). If they were going to boast in anything, Jeremiah said, it was to be in the truth that they could know God. Indeed, they could boast in the fact that they knew God who always keeps His word and does what is right.
The older I get, the more I realize how true Jeremiah’s words are. All that Pam and I own can bring us no real joy. The diplomas on my wall will rot behind the frames that hold them. Any positions I hold are, frankly, tenuous; institutions will—and should—replace me more quickly that I’d probably like as soon as I step down. I don’t claim to be physically strong, but any strength I do have diminishes as I age. If I lose it all but still know God, however, that’s really all that matters.
In Him, and Him alone, will I boast.
ACTION STEPS:
- Brag about nothing but God today.
- Actually DO brag about Him to somebody today.
PRAYER: “God, In You alone I will boast. Amen.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Jeremiah 12-14, 2 Timothy 1
