Jeremiah 9:23-24 – Boasting in God

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV)

Boasting seems to be in everybody’s blood. A parent never fails to inform us that his or her child is an honor student by the bumper sticker on their car. An athlete does a dance or spikes the football after scoring a touchdown. A man will boast of his wealth by the clothes he wears and the car he drives. This boasting will almost always point others toward the person; the created rather than Creator.

Just as often, this kind of boasting is an affront to God. The Bible tells us there is a boasting that is not sinful, boasting in the Lord. Unfortunately people can still make even this sinful.

We are told to boast in “he [who] understands and knows me.” For some this becomes a boasting of one’s superior understanding of God, or being intellectually skilled enough to know the Truth. Again, this is an attempt to point others to our glory instead of God’s. Boasting about God isn’t simply bragging about our knowledge of God, but boasting of his flawless character.

Fortunately for us, in his grace, he practices steadfast love toward us even while we are centered on ourselves. He practices justice, but has made a way for us to be just through Jesus. He also practices righteousness on the earth, when the earth continually turns it’s back on him. When we boast of who God is, instead of “knowing the only way”, others will come to boast of this great God.

Glorify the King of kings by boasting in his greatness instead of your great knowledge of him today.