Boast in the Lord

Jer. 9:23-24

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.

 

 

Man's wisdom, strength, and riches are as transient as is his life. In a moment disease, natural catastrophes, accidents, and recession could strike and decimate all that man claims as his own, even his own life. Amazingly, man thinks that he controls his fate, but it is just not true! When push comes to shove, man is nothing! When push comes to shove, even a nation is nothing! Two planes hitting in the World Trade Centers destroyed the economy of America. Storm front Sandy devastated a massive part of America destroying homes, taking lives, shutting down transportation, turning off the power, and rearranging the coastline. During summer forest fires in the West massive amounts of land, vegetation, entire subdivisions of homes, were destroyed corrupting the very air that we breathed. In our upcoming election the economy is a major issue because jobs are scarce and people are barely getting by. And to top it all off, America is in great debt owing money to other nations! How can a government that can't manage its own money hope to build a better economy for its people.  How can man boast? You would think that all these events would draw people back to God, to seek His steadfast love, justice, and righteousness, but no. In man's dilemma, all he can do is blame God. In the good times man is too prosperous and pleasure-filled  to seek God, and in the bad times, He blames God! How foolish!

 

II Tim. 3 describes these people.  For people will be loves of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. As I read and think about this list, I am overcome that they would have the appearance of godliness. What a warning not just for those who are blatantly ungodly but for those who look like church-goers. But, God is looking at the heart not the outward appearance. He is looking for people who are truly grateful for His gift of salvation, for people who are boasting in Him alone.

 

Father,

Keep my eyes ever on You. Help me not get sucked in to the world's system and rewards. To You I lift up my eyes like servant to master for You are my master and the giver of all life.

In Jesus name,

Amen