"...It is the will of God that all our glorying should be in the Lord: and, our salvation being only through Christ, it is thereby effectually provided that it should be so." - Matthew Henry
"God will be all, or nothing." "A man does not hide away that which he glories in." - the above quotes are from the Biblical Illustrator - New Testament
Suppose that you received the news that a rocket was launched from an enemy nation and was detected in the atmosphere - coming at breakneck speed for your city. What would you do?
What would be the first thing that you would grab for security? Would you get your check book out and see how much money you made over the last week, month, or year? Or would you take down all your certificates that are posted on the wall in your office - displaying your degrees from the various universities? Or perhaps you would run to your exercise room and start lifting weights to make sure that you are strong enough to handle the approaching attack.
Obviously, these responses are ludicrous - at least to the average mind. We all know that uncertain riches, natural wisdom, or human strength cannot secure safety in the face of danger, destruction, and ruin.
Yet these are the three basic items that most people are trusting in, depending on, and boasting in today. You may be one of those people.
We must understand that there is an irresistible tendency in all of us to glory in something or someone. Nothing is more common among us. We all have something in our lives for which we can pride ourselves or may cause us to esteem ourselves superior to others. It may be our personal beauty, many accomplishments, talents, fine houses, reputation of being rich, health, great strength, family lineage, power, position in life, etc.
Yet, we can see very clearly that these things are all delusive objects of confidence in the face of impending calamities. They all prove vain in the day of death.
The Prophet Jeremiah addressed this issue in his day. The people of God were depending on these very same things - their wisdom, might, and wealth - as a means of procuring happiness. He admonished the people with these words - "Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches..."(Jeremiah 9:23).
He knew that these things could not possibly rescue or save their nation from ruin.Their wisdom could not possibly outwit their enemy... their strength would not suffice...and their riches would not profit in the day of wrath nor deliver from death. To think otherwise was utter foolishness!
His advice or counsel at the time?
In Jeremiah 9:24, he concluded his prophesy with these words - "But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:24).
They were not to "glory" or boast in things, but in the Lord. They were to derive their security from the fact that they were depending on Him alone in all conditions.
In their day - wisdom, might, and riches were their hope and joy. However, in the end, all three of these "confidences" became their grief and despair. The same will hold true for all who trust in them today.
The Scriptures tell us specifically Who or What we are to "glory" or boast in -
Psalm 105:3 says - "Glory ye in His holy name..."
Isaiah 41:16 says - "...and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel."
Isaiah 45:25 says - "In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory."
Isaiah 65:16 says - "That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth..."
1 Corinthians 1:29-31 says - "That no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the LORD."
2 Corinthians 10:17 says - "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
As the world glories in its "horses and chariots" (Psalm 20:7), we - as God's chosen people - should be placing all our hope and trust in the "name" of the Lord - the name of His holiness. In Him alone - Whose outstretched arm wrought great deliverances for us - are we to ascribe the victory. To Him alone - Who is faithful to His promises - are we to invoke blessings on ourselves. And to Him alone are we to appeal as our God.
We are never to boast in ourselves or the things of the flesh and the world. On the contrary, we are to boast only in Him - the author or cause of every good gift or blessing.
Matthew Henry had this to say about the matter - "Worldly people bless themselves in the abundance they have of this world's goods: but God's servants bless themselves in Him, as a God all-sufficient for them."
The Biblical Illustrator - New Testament said - "The prevention or cure of glorying in men, in riches, and in self, is glorying in the Lord."
Lastly, The People's New Testament outlined for us the true rule of boasting - "Let the Lord be our boast, for we are nothing."
Notice in the above Scripture - Isaiah 65:16, it says - "That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth..." Also, in Jeremiah 4:2, we find similar words - "And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall they glory."
To "swear" by God meant to acknowledge Him as being Supreme - worthy of our worship and service. It meant to give Him the honor due His name...to "glory" in Him and not in idols or false gods...and to bind oneself to Him alone.
Once again, we refer to Pastor Henry's statement - "Worldly people bless themselves in the abundance they have of this world's goods: but God's servants bless themselves in Him, as a God all-sufficient for them."
Notice how "worldly people" do one thing, while "God's servants" do another. The former blesses himself for the abundance of this world's goods. The latter blesses himself in His God Who supples his every need.
Look around you and observe. Is it not true that many Christians are saying and doing things just like the "worldly people"? They are boasting in their great wisdom, might, and riches. They are looking to these things for security in the days ahead.
You may be one who has felt fairly secure after looking over your assets and bank account. You feel as though you and your family are in good shape financially. You may even have found yourself telling your children how their future is "cut out" for them because of the savings that are treasured in their names. Yet, in all of your thoughts and conversation, you never mentioned the fact that if you and your family would happen to lose it all - riches, health, position, etc. - how God would be there to see you through. Something is wrong here - wouldn't you agree?
What then is needed in the church to bring back God's people to a total renunciation of the flesh and a total abandonment to boasting or trusting in God alone as the source of all good things?
The answer can be found in Philippians 3:3 which says - "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."
What is needed is a fresh "circumcision" to come to the Body of Christ. Yes, the Holy Spirit needs to woo us all once again to the spiritual operating room and "circumcise" our hearts of all fleshly and corruptible "glorying," boasting, or trusting in the things of the flesh. And may He not finish the surgery until we are willing to make Jesus and He alone our One and Only boast in life.
Once again, we ask you - if an air missile from an enemy nation was targeted toward your city, what would be the first thing that you would grab for?
Hopefully, it would be your Bible...and that you would not have to blow an inch of dust off its cover before opening it.
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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