August 8th~Boasting at the Gates

Jeremiah 8:4-11:23

Jeremiah continued to condemn God’s people for their sins, particularly idolatry. “The wisest of people who worship idols is stupid and foolish... Their gods are like a helpless scarecrow. They cannot speak and they need to be carried because they cannot walk... The Lord is the only true God, the living God, the everlasting King! Your so-called gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will vanish...” (10:5-11).

He also continued to forecast Judah’s destruction. “I, the Lord, once called them a thriving olive tree, beautiful to see and full of good fruit. But now I have sent the fury of their enemies to burn them with fire, leaving them charred and broken. I, the Lord Almighty, who planted the olive tree, have ordered it destroyed. For the people of Israel and Judah have done evil, provoking Me to anger...” (10:16, 17).

We ran into one of the more familiar passages from Jeremiah today, “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, or the mighty man in his might, or the rich man in his riches. Let them boast in this alone, that they truly know Me and understand that I am the Lord who is just and righteous, whose love is unfailing, and that I delight in these things...” (9:23, 24).

Daily Reflection

I find two challenges in this passage. First, when it’s all said and done, our life on earth is over, and we are standing at the gates of heaven, what is it that will help us gain access? We might boast in our wisdom, our might, or our riches, but none of these things will work. Only those who know the Lord, who have a personal relationship with Him, will enter in. It is not in anything we can do or have done that will gain us access to the gates of heaven. It is only in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ that any of us can be saved! Is that your boast?

Second, notice what it is that delights men com- pared to what delights God. Men delight in wisdom, might, and riches, while God delights in justice, righteousness, and love. Men focus on what they have or what they can do, while God cares about what they give to others and what kind of people they are.

As usual, our priorities are misplaced. Our eyes are on the wrong prizes, and our efforts are spent for the wrong goals. What about you?
In what do you delight?

Why is trusting in your wisdom, might, or riches a false and foolish hope?

To boast means to advertise, to display, to praise, or to magnify. When you are before others, what is it that you hold up for them to see? What is it that you call their attention to? Is it something you have done, or is it what the Lord has done for you, or in you, or through you?

Be careful what you boast! “Let him who glories, glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31).

BiAY.org | Day 220 — 145 Days to Go