Jeremiah 9.23 This
is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong
boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, 24 but let the one
who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that
I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for
in these I delight,” declares the Lord. – Jeremiah
Maybe it’s just my personality or my way of seeing
things, but this resonates with me: boast
in the Lord. Boast in the fact that He has revealed Himself to me and I
know Him. I suppose in one way it takes the pressure off – that I have to
perform to meet someone’s standards. I know the Lord; He has revealed Himself
to me.
Religion makes a big deal about human stuff – intellect,
experience, knowing, doing, having, being present. And I suppose in one way so
does relationship with the Lord. But the big difference is this: religion is
man-focused, and relationship with Jesus is friendship-focused between the
finite and the eternal. You boast about your friends.
I know, or at least feel, that I don’t have all that much
to offer. I can’t show you a resume’ full of credentials to impress you with
what I know and who. I just don’t have all that. But I do have Jesus. I do have
an understanding of who He is because He has shown Himself to me. And I care
about you. Jesus has given me that much.
The Lord delights in those who have the understanding He’s
given. Remarkably, He gives it to everyone, but not everyone sees, hears, or
knows. I think that’s why His people are called to evangelize and relate to
others in a way that they can relate to Him. And hopefully become His friend,
His delight.
Paul said in Romans 1: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that
brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the
Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness
that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will
live by faith.” (Vv. 16, 17) Friends boast about each other. The saved
boast about their Savior.
What’s wrong with this world? Well, just start talking
and we’ll soon see. What’s right with this world? Boast to me about God. Tell
me you have the understanding to know Him. It doesn’t make my problems go away,
but it enables me to see past them. Problems aren’t the end; Jesus is.
Help me today, Lord, to share and boast about You. In a world full of confused and frightened people, help me to boast that You have given me the understanding to know You. Help me to verbalize that You exercise kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in those things You delight. May I boast in that. Amen
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