-August 18, 2022-
Good morning, happy Thursday,
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor 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).
As humans, we so often think too highly of ourselves, and not highly enough of God. We prioritize the human over the divine. Our highest pursuits never rise above this earth. Everything we long for and actively pursue will be left behind when we die. As believers we have a higher calling. Our hopes, desires, and pursuits should be centered in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our goals should focus on knowing, living for, and serving Him more.
When we glory in the Lord, we become more thankful and dependent on Him. We realize how His thoughts and His ways are far higher than our’s. We learn to seek His strength and not our own. We so need His help every moment of every day. The Lord reminds us of this as we grow older. Our greatest glory is that we have Jesus in our lives and we are His followers and children. Praise God that we will be with Him forever.
God delights in exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, and we should delight in them also. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:29-31, “That no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.’”
Everything we have is from God. We can take no credit for anything but should thank Him for everything. This lightens our grip on the things of earth, and strengthens our grip on the things above. We came into this world with nothing and will leave it the same way. Our souls will live on and we will take those we have won to Christ with us, and our knowledge of Scripture.
What are you glorying in today? If it is in anyone or anything in this world it will be futile and unsatisfying at best. But when you glory in the Lord, you will be happy and content. Jesus gives us love, peace, and joy in our relationship with Him. The hymn writer Helen H. Lemmel wrote, “O soul are you weary and troubled? No light for the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savor, and life more abundant and free. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
Have a blessed day glorying in Jesus and delighting in what is really important in life. Stay safe and healthy.
Looking up to Jesus,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 