Glory in the Lord

Jeremiah 9:23 (NKJV)

Thus says the Lord:
"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

In this world we live in, people learn how to be wise, to be mighty and most importantly to be rich. From the beginning of civilization until now, these things have been the goal of men. People wanted to be independent, to be self-reliant, and self-sustaining. So much so that we started to keep glory in ourselves and forget about the Author of life and the Giver of our strength, ability, and might to accomplish the things we do.

In our economy, we elevate and promote people who are good and capable, and we admire them. Yet many times, it is not always the case, people who really are not good enough for the position are promoted and elevated. The lousy guys take the break! Simply because of relationship, friendship, or mere acquaintances. I had hard time accepting that kind of fact happening right before me. But when I turned on the Bible, it should be the case! In God’s economy, it is all about relationship and fellowship. No matter how lousy we are, God accepts and promotes us. And God hates people who rely and glory in themselves, and forget about God.

The Lord said that if we have to glory, we glory in knowing and understanding who God is – that He exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth (v. 24). Why? Because people are just the opposite – we normally hate each other, we don’t apply and practice justice, and we are crooks who hate doing the right things. And without God, everything becomes chaotic. Find a nation or place where God is not acknowledged and honored, a place of atheists and anarchists, and see what is in there. If you find peace, harmony, and development, then forget about God.