BOASTING IN GOD!

Jeremiah 9:23-24 AMPC

Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches; [24] But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.

 

At first glance, it may seem like we are repeating a familiar theme, but in a world where prideful boasting has become a normal way of life—a rite of passage to achieving anything—it is crucial to redirect our focus. Drawing attention to the benefits and encouragement found in boasting in the Lord is a powerful way to inspire more believers to glorify our Creator and King. 

Boasting or bragging about someone or something is not inherently wrong. It is simply an expression of testifying about that person or thing. However, when boasting becomes self-centered—focused on oneself in a proud or self-admiring way—it reflects excessive pride and self-satisfaction in one's achievements, possessions, or abilities. 

Boasting occurs when we feel a sense of satisfaction, self-worth, and pride in our accomplishments. While this is not necessarily bad, it becomes problematic when no other person or power is acknowledged for their contribution to that success. 

If we must boast, the Bible encourages us to boast in the Lord rather than in ourselves. Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 1:31, urging us to shift our focus away from ourselves and others and place it solely on God. 

No one should ever boast about their wisdom or ability, for without God, we would have none of these. Once we have experiential knowledge of God, we will naturally give all glory and honor to Him, boasting about who He is rather than what we have done. 

Excessive self-abasement, rooted in pride, can lead us to take the place of God, attributing to ourselves characteristics and abilities that are either unnatural for us to possess or beyond human capability. 

Psalm 52:1 warns: "Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?" We cannot force God to act on our behalf—it is His benevolent mercy that humbles us, leading us to a place where our boast should be only in Him. 

Moses exemplifies boasting in the Lord in Exodus 34:6-7, proclaiming God's divine mercy, which is displayed for all to see. He was boasting in the glory of God's grace and goodness, attributes that are illustriously displayed in our lives daily. 

Boasting in God has nothing to do with worldly possessions, abilities, positions, or knowledge. Our boast should be in God’s ability to glorify Himself even in our weakness. 

1 Corinthians 1:26-30 reminds us: "No one is wise by human standards, not many are influential, and not many are of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him."

We have no reason to boast because, humanly speaking, we are weak, foolish, lowly, and despised. All the glory belongs to God alone, as stated in Isaiah 42:8: 

"I am the Lord; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols." 

Believers can sometimes become spiritually arrogant in their knowledge and walk with God, treating the Bible as though it is for personal consumption, individual interpretation, and exclusive understanding. However, 2 Peter 1:20 reminds us that Scripture is not subject to private interpretation. 

We must not boast about knowing the Lord better than others or being used by God more than others, for God does not favor one person over another based on their ability to boast. 

Unfortunately, we see pastors and ministers boasting about their large ministries and the number of people they have saved, rather than focusing on the lives God has transformed. If we are to glorify anyone, let it be God, so that others may be encouraged. 

Prayer: Father, grant me the grace and ability to boast expressively in Your greatness and love, rather than in myself. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/womenoflight/episodes/BOASTING-IN-GOD-e3285cd

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SHALOM

 

 

 

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