JEREMIAH 9:23-24 : Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.”
People find many things to glory in and brag about. For the runner, it might be his speed or distance. For the weight lifter, it’s the number of pounds he can curl. For the scholar, it might be his list of degrees or publications.
For the wealthy man, it’s his diverse portfolio. But none of these things bring a glory that will last forever. They are at best a passing grandeur.
Speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, God exhorted His people not to look for their glory in wisdom, power or wealth but in their relationship with Him. It was not the armies that defended God’s holy city, Jerusalem; it was not the silver and gold in the temple treasury.
Israel could brag about none of these things. What was really important, what would bring glory forever, was the opportunity to grow in a relationship with the Lord. To understand and know God was something to boast about. That was all that mattered.
People frantically seek for their 15 minutes of fame, their moment in the limelight. They spend vast sums of money and even risk their lives to stake a fleeting claim to glory. Others try to bask in the reflected glory of the rich and famous. But none of these things are truly satisfying, let alone lasting. Only God can offer that.
Find your glory today in your relationship with Christ. Make it the most important part of your life. Seek to grow more intimate each day with your Lord and Savior by daily reading His Word, enjoying His presence and talking with Him in prayer. When you know Him intimately, you have something worth bragging about.
GLORY IN CHRIST AND YOU CAN BASK IN HIS LIGHT FOREVER.