Bible Verse of the Day Monday January 9th, 2023

 Jeremiah 9:23-24 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, 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.

Bringing forth a message from God, Jeremiah speaks of wisdom, strength, and riches that cause most people to boast. But to that list, we could add one more in this modern age: fame. Outstanding success can be a significant hindrance in our walk with Christ Jesus. Because of our worldly success, Satan will subtly creep into the most innocent hearts and lead us away from God.

To boast about something is to celebrate and proclaim it to be the source of our joy and happiness. For example, when a champion athlete wins a 1st place trophy, they hold it up to boast of their achievement in winning the contest. They say that this was what I worked so hard for, which is my happiness and joy. The problem is not that humans boast about something; they brag about the wrong things. Paul's example is that he only ever boasted on the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:14).

Frank Derek Kiner once wrote: "There is a contrast between the three fading glories of verse 23 (wisdom, strength, and riches) and the three unfading ones of verse 24: the faithful kindness, justice, and righteousness which are God's gifts to us before ever they are his expectations from us."

God is telling us to boast only in Him, only in God's greatest gift, the ultimate sacrifice of Christ Jesus on the Cross of Calvary, that took away the curse of sin upon us all. The temporary things people boast about, wisdom, strength, riches, and fame, are more than just foolish and ill-advised. They are lower than the greatest everlasting gifts from God, kindness, justice, and righteousness. Furthermore, these God-given gifts can lead us into a relationship with God and allow us to be open and sensitive to the leading, guiding, and direction of the Holy Spirit in our daily walk.

When this becomes our basis and foundation of importance, nothing in this world, with wisdom, fame, or fortune, can come close or compete with the joy of having a close personal relationship with God. God is delighted with any display of His Holy nature and being, His character, when human beings understand it. It brings Him great joy and pleasure when people know Him as He is. A consecrated prayer life, daily bible study, surrender to Him, worship and praise, and service to God and others will please our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, to the point that we cannot even imagine.