Glory in Knowing God

"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; ²⁴ 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

This passage has a two-fold emphasis for me today:  God can be known, and it is possible to glory in many things rather than knowing Him.  Even in the days of Law and the Old Testament, God revealed Himself to all in the earth by the great things He had done.  Though unapproachable in glory, God provided evidence for man to seek and know Him.  He created mankind with the ability to reason and ponder, with curiosity and an unquenchable thirst to learn, explore and discover.

The prophet Jeremiah addressed this discourse to the children of Israel who had turned from the living God to idols, bringing down the majesty of their Creator to an image fashioned by man's devising of wood, stone or precious metal.  It is natural for men to glory (to praise, boast) in his abilities and accomplishments, like the athlete who raises his arms on the podium after winning an event.  The crowd cheers their champions, and the arms raised in triumph and saluting of the multitude is an acknowledgement of himself.  The mighty man naturally glories in his might, and the rich are pleased to be so.  God spoke through the prophet, "He who glories glory in this, that you understand and know Me, that I am the LORD."  The strength of the mighty man and riches we acquire are a gift from God, but strength and riches have their limits; in time strength turns to weakness and riches pass to another.

Our glorying should not be in our abilities or achievements but in God who has revealed Himself to us, who exercises "lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth" because He delights in them.  God's character and ways can be known by those who trust Him, whose eyes have been opened by His grace to believe on Him.  God's ways are unsearchable and His thoughts higher than ours, but we can know Him!  What a joy it is to know He who is most glorious, and will ever be in the height of His power and majesty forever!  God has spoken and He also puts into practice what He delights in without respect of persons.  God's love is active and loyal and governs justly.  He upholds the righteous standard He has set and keeps it Himself without fail.

God knows us and desires we would be intimately acquainted with Him and His ways.  The lack of the knowledge of God led to the destruction of His people, and God remained faithful.  James 1:16-17 reads, "Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. ¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."  The things we believe we have earned are actually gifts from God, and we are deceived to think by our own power or wisdom we can accomplish anything.  We will be tempted to imagine our good deeds or hard work is the reason for the blessings we enjoy, but every good gift is from the LORD who does not change.  Our situations and circumstances change yet God remains good who exercises lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth.  By His grace we live, and by grace we are saved.  Let us praise and glorify Him!