WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE UNDERSTANDING TO KNOW GOD

SCRIPTURE:

“This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, 24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.”  (Jeremiah 9:23—24)

OBSERVATION:

            Life is full of things we can boast about.  Jeremiah relays a message from the Lord to those who think they have something they can boast about.  These are the three things that people often boast about.  People often boast about how smart and know-it they are.  They boast about their strength and health and that they can do anything.  While others boast about their wealth, there is no need to depend on anything or God. 

            Jeremiah gave people a word from God saying, ” Let not the wise boast of their wisdom, because their wisdom is foolishness to God.  The Bible also says that the foolishness of God is wiser than man.  Also, let not the strong boast of their strength.  Our strength is only but a sigh.  We are still weak, created things in the eyes of God. 

            And lastly, Jeremiah reminded the rich not to boast about how rich they are because they are still poor in the sight of God.  It is so important for me to know that all that I boast about in life are no comparison to who God is.  I am only but a breath and a sigh in the eyes of God.  My wisdom is earthly and demonic.  All my strength is nothing, and so are my riches that never lasts, nor does it buys me things eternal.

            God said to Jeremiah, tell those who boast to boast in this;  THAT THEY HAVE THE UNDERSTANDING TO KNOW ME.    We have the understanding to know God.  Everything else we boast about fades.  Everything we have that we boast about comes from the hands of God.              The first understanding that I need to know is that God is the Lord.  Wisdom, strength, and riches come from God.  He is the Lord of everything that I have in life. 

            Secondly, I must KNOW him who exercises KINDNESS, JUSTICE, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS on the earth.  We are given the understanding to know God and to boast in his kindness, justice, and righteousness.  I am reminded today that I must get to know more and more about the kindness, justice, and righteousness of God. 

            I have a choice in life.  I can choose to boast of my wisdom, strength, and riches, or I can develop my understanding to know more of what God delights in.  God delights in kindness.  Many people, even believers, understand this deeply. 

God delights in justice.  God’s sense of justice is different from my earthly sense of justice.  It is much higher and more profound than my knee-jerk response to the injustice surrounding me.  And he Delights in righteousness.  Again, my sense of righteousness is no comparison with God’s righteousness.  I am earthly and sinful.  My righteousness is like filthy rags.  I am afforded the understanding to know God more. 

APPLICATION:

            I don’t know God as I should.  I want to know him more and more with every glimpse of what he reveals to me of who he is.  I am grateful for the understanding given to me to know him more.  I will continue to do this daily and as often as I am able.

PRAYER:

            Jesus, thank you for reminding me that you already have given me the understanding to know you more.  Help me to humble myself before you daily.  I ask your Holy Spirit to continue teaching me about you and the things you delight in.  Amen!