"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; 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 (NKJV)Human achievement is celebrated loudly in our world. Education, wealth, power, and influence are the trophies our culture holds highest, and it is natural to feel pride when we attain them. But God issues a direct and sobering challenge through Jeremiah: do not glory in wisdom, might, or riches. If you must boast in something, boast in this, that you understand and know the Lord. Paul echoes this in Galatians 6:14, declaring that his only boast is in the cross of Christ, and in Philippians 3:10, expressing his consuming desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. These are not the words of men who had nothing else to boast about. They are the words of men who had weighed everything else against knowing God and found it all wanting.
The stakes of knowing or not knowing God could not be higher. Those who know Him and faithfully follow Christ are promised blessings in this life and eternal life in the age to come (Luke 18:29-30). Those who do not know Him and reject the Gospel face everlasting separation from His presence (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). As we pursue the best this life has to offer, let us remain clear-eyed about what truly matters. Every achievement we possess was given to us by God in the first place, so there is nothing to boast in that does not ultimately point back to Him. Let knowing God be the one thing we pursue above all else and the one thing we never stop glorying in.
Lord, keep me from the pride of my achievements and redirect my boasting to You alone. Remind me that everything I have comes from Your hand, and that knowing You surpasses every other goal I could pursue. Make knowing You the deepest desire and greatest glory of my life. Amen.