Moment With The Master
“Glorying in God”
Categories: Moment With The MasterThus 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.” (Jeremiah 9:23,24)
These two verses hardly describe the condition of Judah at the time of the writing. However, for future reference perhaps Jeremiah wishes to point out all of the nation’s failed subjects of boasting – wisdom, wealth, and might.
During Jeremiah‘s day Judah had prided herself in the wisdom of alliances with such nations as Egypt and Assyria. The army of Judah was thought to be strong, and Jerusalem impregnable. And the many days of peace had allowed the nation to accumulate wealth.
The United States of America recently celebrated it’s 242nd birthday. Our nation has experienced unprecedented freedom, vast resources, and unparalleled wealth. America prides herself in wisdom, prosperity, and strength, but it is a nation of people who have lost their moral bearing. Our wise Statesmen, extraordinary wealth, and mighty armies apart from a moral compass are worthless.
In such a society, disciples of Christ are tempted to overvalue the things of this world. It is tempting to think of our education, money, and power as sources of security. We sadly assume that the accumulation of wealth protects us from heartache, that our wisdom can out-wit the other guy, and our imposing physical prowess will avoid calamity. However, Jesus rebukes such foolishness with a parable about a rich man in Luke’s Gospel. (See Luke 12:16-21)
The true glory of man is the knowledge of God. The chief purpose of mankind is to glorify God and rejoice in his presence. All other pursuits are subordinate to this one. Disease, death, and financial loss can destroy our earthly treasures, but they cannot destroy our relationship with God.
The prophet lists three marks of the one who has the knowledge of God. It is manifested in fruits of loving-kindness toward others, justice or equity in human affairs, and walking in righteousness toward God. Those who truly know God live by those things that God approves.
It is tempting for us to rejoice unduly in those things that derive from education and wealth. But nothing compares with a knowledge of God that connects us with heaven, immortality, and the influence of godly character by which we may enrich the lives of others.
By George Slover
