What Really Matters In Life

-October 24, 2023-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,

“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).

Mankind has been searching for the meaning of life for centuries but to no avail, for the answer lies only in the sacred pages of Scripture, in the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything else in this world is temporary and changeable. The unknown hymn writer said it well, “Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.”

God makes it crystal clear in our text what really counts and what doesn’t. He first exposes what isn’t important, then demonstrates what is. We are well advised to listen and prioritize our lives accordingly. To clarify: receive Christ and be saved, put the Lord first, seek His kingdom and righteousness, serve Him, and wait for His coming.

• The wrong priority – to glory in wisdom, might, or riches gets us nowhere, especially in the light of eternity. None of these things last forever nor do they satisfy the heart. They fade, they fail, they fall apart. Man’s wisdom fills the mind with meaninglessness; man’s night fills the body with useless strength; and man’s riches fills the bank account money that will all be left behind at death.

Still, people seek after these three only to discover like Solomon, “‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher,’ All is vanity (Ecclesiastes 12:8). He should know, he sought all three of these things and none of them brought him satisfaction or fulfillment. If you have wisdom, give glory to the God of wisdom; if you have might, give glory to the God of power; and if you have riches, give glory to the God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

The right priority – It comes down to what is most important, what really matters. God tells us to glory in understanding and knowing Him. A believer in Jesus Christ has more wisdom than the sage; more power than the warrior or athlete; and is richer than billionaire. What we have in Christ in this life and beyond exceeds them all. God delights in those who delight themselves in Him, in His Word, and in His kingdom. God exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, and we should pursue them as well.

So what really matters to you? Is it something you can hold in your hands or what you have in your heart? Our relationship to Christ is precious, priceless, and personal. Have a blessed day pursuing the things above not the things of this earth. Stay safe and healthy.

As the hymn writer said, “Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine, moment by moment, O Lord I am Thine.”

Dean