Boasting that He is all I need…

And the Lord says: “Because they have forsaken my law that I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice or walked in accord with it, but have stubbornly followed their own hearts and have gone after the Baals, as their fathers taught them. Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will feed this people with bitter food, and give them poisonous water to drink. I will scatter them among the nations whom neither they nor their fathers have known, and I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them.” (Jeremiah 9:13–16)

This OT prophet has very little positive declarations. He was speaking to stubborn people who did their own thing and were being warned of the consequences of a life that ignores the Lord. Repetition of this theme can be helpful, but I want something more positive. However, there is one passage after this one that touched my heart as a new Christian. In plain language, it tells me what to do and how to think:

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23–24)

I’ve often boasted in being smart, as in knowing lots, but not in being wise. Wisdom is knowing how to live according to what I know. I’ve never felt wise, but rather confused and uncertain. Many times, I’ve not known what to do even though I know many facts. 

I’m certainly not mighty in any sense of the word. I’ve had congestive heart failure for years, affecting physical might. Anything like mighty in influence, or other abilities eludes me. The older I get, the weaker and more unable I feel. I can only boast in that I sleep well, yet know that is God's doing.

As for riches, I’ve been both poor and with money, surviving poverty and gaining wealth with none of it by my efforts. God takes care of me in that department, often with amazing surprises. 

So Jeremiah’s words about boasting struck me. Boasting that I know the Lord and understand His ways (even partly) is something I can do. He has shown me that He “practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth” becomes an easy boast, one that makes sense to me. I need His wisdom and power, and He takes care of my finances in ways that I cannot do or even imagine. 

The best part is that when I boast in Him, He takes delight in that, not that He needs that sort of affirmation, but He is joyful that I know this is truth — truth that He has made known to me.

Jesus, You are the power and wisdom I need. Not only that, You supply the material resources I need also. I’ve been poor and rich, yet You have taken care of me in both extremes. I am so grateful that knowing You and understanding You means being rich and wise and even mighty in You, and keeps me from that stubborn stupidity that prevents me from the consequences that otherwise I would experience if left to my own useless and even deadly devices. Bless You, my wonderful Savior.

Knowing not just knowing about. . . .

A few weeks ago, a woman sat with us during church brunch and asked me how I knew Jesus was real, and how I knew whether He had returned or not. For me, it was like she asked how I knew if my children are real, or my friends, or even her. She claimed to have visions of what God  is doing and asked questions about spiritual warfare. The next week, I loaned her a book on that topic, but haven’t seen her since. Interesting.

The philosophical questions about reality abound. How do we know what we know, and so on.  While some might dismiss this as silly speculation, the Bible makes it an important, even a key part of our existence, and about the way we live now and, and determines our destination. The OT says this:

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23–24)

God desires that my main passion in life is knowing Him and knowing what He is like and what He does. In His NT prayer, Jesus said this:

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3)

How do I  know that I know Him? It is by faith, a faith that affects me to the point that I must tell it to others, say it with my mouth. Not faking it, and not pretending in any way. It is a knowing that is difficult to explain for it is not like saying “I know my husband” or any other visible person. It is a knowing based on what the Word of God says:

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:8–13)

This hints at more than head knowledge. For example, I know who Donald Trump is, would recognize him if he walked by, hear all sorts of things about him, but I don’t ‘know’ him like I know Jesus. The Bible says that knowledge means I know His voice, have His mind and hear Him tell me what to do or not do. Knowing Him means intimacy. He gives me His love, peace, joy, and a desire to be like Him. And that is more evidence of the depth of this relationship:

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. (1 John 2:3)

While many doubt, or scoff, or even deny such a thing is possible, a few could see how Jesus makes a difference: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)

PRAY: Jesus, today is one of those days where I feel totally unlike You, as if I’m more uneducated and common than bold. However, You are with me because You said so, not because I’m always aware or feel like it. Your word is far more reliable than my feelings. Because I know You and that You do what You say You will do, I walk into this day in confidence that knowing You is all that I need — and I can be all that You desire of me.

Weakness is okay...

If I am without faith at times, I must also be a lazy person. Today’s reading begins with this and it is a problem that I don’t recall ever having. It says: “Most Christians commit things to the Lord when on their knees, and then the moment they rise from their knees they take the burden all back on their own shoulders.”  I don’t take back jobs I give away.

Or it could be that the Lord has finally got it through my thick head that I am weak, unable to do much of anything without Him. Of course I’m not talking about things like brushing my teeth or putting on my socks, but even as I write this, I realize that day could come.

Getting older brings weakness of body and mind. Daily I’m praying for physical strength and clear thinking, yet the strength God gives is also about trusting Him for things like the ability to be kind and thoughtful to others, to have compassion and comfort for those in trials, to encourage and be a blessing rather than ignoring or dismissing those who are burdened. He wants me to trust Him for the well-being and salvation of others, and to have His way in this messy world.

Learning to rely on Jesus is a lovely thing. Faith replaces worry and self-effort, but the one thing it does not remove is pride in my ability to trust God when encountering those who have the problem as described above, those who are constantly giving their burdens to God then taking them back on their own shoulders. I keep wanting to sermonize, yet realize my efforts will do more harm than good.
Verses do come to mind. God wants me to trust Him with everything, but not let pride motivate faith or ruin this God-given ability to trust Him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first-fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:5–12)

The wise writer of this proverb notes the motivation for trusting God is not pride. I’m not to ‘lean on’ what I think or boast in me even inwardly, but acknowledge Him. I’m to fear God and honor Him. I’m also to be under His discipline and reproof, indicating that when I get uppity about things, even my faith, He will reprimand me. Trusting God is nothing to brag about or a reason to lord it over those who are having a problem with their faith. God also says:

“Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23–24)

Actually, I cannot even boast that I understand and know God, except that it is true — not because I did anything to get there but because He introduced Himself to me and brought me into His family. It is always His mercy, not my merit.

PRAY: Jesus, forgive me for being critical and looking down my self-righteous nose at those who struggle to keep their focus on You and Your promises. My faith is not about me but a gracious gift from You that I did not earn and do not deserve. Motivate me to trust You so You are glorified, not me, and so others will not be intimidated, but instead be encouraged to rely on You also.

 

Knowing Jesus

  

At the end of a sermon with a gospel invitation, the speaker often says something about introducing a seeker to Jesus. While I know that Jesus welcomes those who seek Him, is this really how it works? Can I say to someone words that open his heart and mind to know the Savior? It seems to me that is not possible. If a person wants to know God, then isn’t God the one who introduces or opens their hearts to know Him?

Today’s devotional says knowing God is essential. Jesus did say that without this knowledge, we cannot have eternal life…

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3)

However, a few verses later He also says…

“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. (John 17:6–8)

He gives the words and the seeker receives and believes them, yet it is God who both reveals and gives what is needed, including the words needed and the faith (that comes by hearing, Romans 10:17) to believe, and all we need to have that life and godliness. I can tell others this good news but it is God who makes Himself known.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, (2 Peter 1:3)

When I encounter someone that I’ve never met, I can ignore them, or I can make myself known to them in conversation. They are able to do the same. Revelation of self to someone else is not up to the someone else, or even to the person doing the introductions. That person can tell the other some things about me, but knowing information is not the same as really knowing.

Today’s reading say we get to know Jesus by studying His life and pondering His words, but I could do that with anyone who has a biography or talks about their thoughts and ideas, yet that is not the knowledge Jesus refers to that pertains to eternal life. It is far more intimate. 1 Corinthians says that He gives us even His mind. No person we meet can do that.

I’ve been married fifty-three years and do not have my husband’s mind. As much as I talk and reveal my thoughts, he does not have my mind either. But we do have the mind of Christ and that gives us a communication level, even a knowledge level, that rises above reading and studying. The only thing we can do to deepen our knowing is… “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3) yet even this depends on His desire to reveal Himself and obedience is the evidence rather than the means that I do know Him.

 For Christians, knowing Christ is a legitimate boast. The OT prophet declares:

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23–24)

And the NT writers also knew the wealth and wonder of knowing Jesus:

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:8)

PRAY: Jesus, knowing You is the delight of my life. Do I boast about it and about Your love, justice, and righteousness? I should — far more often than I do. Knowing You is the most important thing in my life just as You are the most important person ever to walk this planet. I’m so thankful that You revealed yourself to me and continue to keep showing me more about You. You are a wonderful Savior!

What delights God?

 
When Eve was tempted in the garden, Genesis 3 describes her response as “delight” meaning a desire or inclination to want something. Later, Numbers 14 says God will bring His people into the land because He “delights” in them, but this is a different word. It means to take a high degree of pleasure or mental satisfaction in something.

I’m thankful for this difference because I feel God’s delight often. Those around me, even my hubby, sometimes assume that when I express delight in something, I want it. They might try to give it to me, but I have to explain that just because I like something, whatever it is, does not mean I want it. Some examples? Horses, unusual paintings, clothing in a store window or jewelry that someone is wearing. I’ve even had friends take off their necklace and put it on me because I said I liked it.

As for God’s delight, there are many examples of what gives Him satisfaction. For instance:

The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers... (Deuteronomy 30:9)
Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness. (1 Kings 10:9

Most of the use of this term describing what delights God is in the Psalms and the Prophets:

He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. (Psalm 18:19)
He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him! (Psalm 22:8)
Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, “Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!” (Psalm 35:27)
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. (Psalm 51:6)
The Lord was pleased, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify his law and make it glorious. (Isaiah 42:21)
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23–24)
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6)

As for other verses that tell me what I should take delight in, there is only one verse in the NT that even uses this term and it echos several OT verses that say the same thing:

His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2)
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. (Psalm 111:2)
Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. (Psalm 119:35)

The NT verse: “For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being.” (Romans 7:22) However, this passage goes on to describe this inner delight conflicting with sin and the battle to serve God when sin wants something else.

So why does God focus on what delights Him in the OT and says nothing about it in the NT? I’ve heard people say that they want to “please God” but that is not a NT issue. Romans 3 is clear that we all fall short. The only One who pleases God is Jesus Christ and it is in Him we have any ability to love and obey Him. Trying to do it by our own efforts is futile. God delights in showing goodness to us, but without Jesus, we cannot delight in Him or in His Law.

PRAY: Lord God, this is why I worship You and delight in Your Son. Without Him, my only delight is sin but because of Him, I can delight in You and Your righteousness and commands, Your people and in their well-being. Jesus changes everything.

Know God Deeply

 

Most of us have met people and felt as if we didn’t really know or understand them. Either they were silent when it came to revealing themselves and how they think about life, or they put on a layer that covered up their actual thoughts so we saw only what they wanted us to see.

I read a book on encouragement that introduced me to the idea of layers and began to see it, not only in myself but in others. Some behaved in certain ways when we were alone together but changed if more people were around. Some seemed to have a persona that differed depending on the topic of discussion.

Then I noticed how much I was drawn to people that are transparent, easy to get to know, without layers and consistent in their personality and way of life no matter what was happening. I also noticed that these transparent people made me comfortable to share my true self as well. On the other hand, people with layers had me unsure of how to behave around them.

Taking these thoughts and applying them to knowing God brings out a truth that is vital. That is, the better I understand who God is and how He thinks, the easier it is to be who I am. Everything about me seems related to knowing what God is really like. If I understand that He created me, put me in my present environment, and I am absolutely in His power, and that He is good and kind, I feel free to be who I am. I know that I am cared for and happy.

If I met a person who was obviously lying to me, telling me untrue things about themselves, or I suspected they were evil, I would not want to be around them. My knowledge of that person, right or wrong, would affect the relationship, even end it.
It is the same concerning God. If my thoughts of Him are based on the idea that He is cruel or unkind or anything negative and He didn’t want the best for me, this would also affect any relationship I might have with Him. Like Eve in the garden, I would be thinking He didn’t care and lose my trust, even go hide from Him.

Everything I know about God also affects everything I understand about life. How vital to have the right knowledge. If for no other reason, this motivates me to read the Bible and find out who God is, what He is like. I cannot let the serpent lie to me, or let circumstances form my opinions. I need the truth about God and knowing that truth is better than anything else I might possess.

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23–24)

This is the reason for morning devotions, prayer, Bible study, going to church, studying life — to know God. Not only does it bring delight to Him, but it also greatly affects me.

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)

PRAY: Jesus, thank You that You came to bring me the knowledge of God. Your Word is clear that  grace and peace are multiplied to me in that knowledge (2 Peter 1:2) and that knowing You means I have eternal life (John 17:3) Just as getting to know another person takes time and involves increasing depth, knowing You involves layers of knowledge, but none of them are put-on cover-ups. Instead, You are the true God who gladly reveals Himself to those who seek You.

Learning from the boring passages . . .

Joshua 18–19; Psalms 149–150; Jeremiah 9; Matthew 23

Reading the allotment of land in Canaan to the twelve tribes of Israel seems boring at first, but God uses it to show me a few things. One is the humility of Joshua who left his choice to last, selecting an insignificant city that was not in the most fertile and desirable land. He was their leader. He didn’t realize it, but he was also a type of Christ, yet he did not use his position of authority for selfish gain.

This is unlike most of the political leaders today. Our news this week is filled with stories of at least one leader who not only took money he should not have taken but lied about it. Oh for men like Joshua to run for office in our country — and as the next reading says, God wants us to be careful about who we put in places of authority:

For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 149:4–9, italics mine)

The two-edged sword in psalms may be literal yet in the NT it is used to describe the Word of God. While I am to obey those in authority (see Romans 13), this passage tells me to biblically deal with ungodly rulers. In our country we can write letters expressing judgment on ungodly actions and exercise our right to vote.

Also, one of those ancient tribes didn’t conquer the enemies in their territory and history shows their error when those enemies later defeated that tribe. My commentary says this: deal with sin quickly or it will come back later and bite you. This theme is described in Jeremiah 9 as well! The prophet speaks of the entire nation who abandoned the Lord and were experiencing the consequences:

Who is the man so wise that he can understand this? To whom has the mouth of the Lord spoken, that he may declare it? Why is the land ruined and laid waste like a wilderness, so that no one passes through? And the Lord says: “Because they have forsaken my law that I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice or walked in accord with it, but have stubbornly followed their own hearts and have gone after the Baals, as their fathers taught them. Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will feed this people with bitter food, and give them poisonous water to drink. I will scatter them among the nations whom neither they nor their fathers have known, and I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them.” (Jeremiah 9:12–16)

My life is not like theirs yet I can so easily ‘follow my own heart’ and find life going upside-down. The NT says God chastens those He loves. I do not resent that because anyone who really cares would not allow those they love to sin and ruin their lives, especially when they have the wisdom and ability to put a stop to it. God is wise. He know me and knows exactly what I need. When I think I am right, He gives me verses like this to guide me:

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23–24)

Of course Jesus says more. In Matthew 23, He tells me to practice what I preach, don’t do things merely to impress others, keep my word, do justice, be merciful and faithful keeping my heart right and pure before Him.

APPLY: Stay close to Jesus. Keep short accounts. Forget about trying to impress others and instead do good to them. Don’t boast about anything except that Jesus has saved me to live for Him and not for myself.