S) "23 Thus says the Lord, 'Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the Lord."
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NASB)
O) It's a funny thing to consider that God actually wants us to boast, and just under the right circumstances. This passage comes after a lamentation Jeremiah wrote for Zion, because of the impending judgment. A large part of the problem that would face the Judeans, is that they would rebel against the word of the LORD, when Jeremiah tells them to go willingly into exile. There were many false prophets who arose, and predicted great victory for Jerusalem. They boasted of wisdom, might, and riches; they should have correctly, sincerely, diligently sought to know the LORD and His lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness.
A) Because I struggle(d) with arrogant pride, when I wasn't submitted to God, I get very pensive about things that are related to prideful issues. So, when I read this passage, I was a little tentative. It is clear, though, that boasting that I know the LORD, and I know His character, is not the same as boasting about wisdom, might, or riches. The key here, is that there is a sort of, self-regulated catch. If I truly know the character of God, and I know He delights in lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness, then I am humbled by those things. In my humility, I acknowledge the grace of those things. So, when I boast because "I know the LORD," I am doing so while humbly proclaiming that my understanding of Him is solely through the grace He has given. But now, here is the real challenge for me - I think my pendulum has swung so far away from any boasting, that I have a hard time being forthright with my praise sometimes. I have a hard time boasting in the Lord, or the cross of Jesus Christ (see Galatians 6:14) and what it has done to change my life. I need to humbly allow that God wants me to brag about Him, and what He has done in my life. I need to be careful that I am humble, but I think I need to boast about His character, who He is, and that I know Him.
P) Father, above all else, let me be laid low so that You can be exalted on high. However that manifests in my life, I pray that You are glorified by my humility. Open my eyes and ears, to know You clearly, God, so that I can boast about You correctly, humbly. Let Your will be done in my life, however You will. Let me completely forego human wisdom, might, or riches, and only seek to know You more, and to know how You exercise lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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