The Thinker

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. Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)

Do you delight in your wisdom, strength and prosperity? Often these earthtly blessings encourage you to act on your own, without consideration of Your Maker; believing that you know best, and that your knowledge, influence and prosperity will shield you from everything. However they often fail and can never bring real satisfaction. Without God everything else is meaningless vanity. As Psalm 14:1 says, "The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good". The Bible also says that those who reject God have no peace in their hearts; they are troubled by their guilty conscience. "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion". Proverbs 28:1

It is in knowing and obeying God that we can have real joy and meaning in our lives. Delighting God by doing right in his eyes should define our life’s philosophy. It sets our moral and ethical standards, gives us strength to resist and overcome temptations and trials, and enables us to grow more like Christ; in kindness, justice and righteousness. It is only in the power, wisdom and righteousness of God that we should boast, because they have lasting value. We are nothing without Him.

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Let not the wise his wisdom boast, The mighty glory in his might,
The rich in flattering riches trust, Which take their everlasting flight.

The rush of numerous years bears down, The most gigantic strength of man;
And where is all his wisdom gone, When dust he turns to dust again?

One only gift can justify, The boasting soul that knows his God;
When Jesus doth His blood apply, I glory in His sprinkled blood.

The Lord, my Righteousness, I praise, I triumph in the love divine,
The wisdom, wealth, and strength of grace, In Christ through endless ages mine.

Charles Wesley, Short Hymns on Select Passages of the Holy Scriptures, 1762.

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