Jer. 9-10, 14
“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.’” (Jer 9:23-24). Wisdom, power, and wealth – things that we all seek. And if we are honest, things that we all sometimes serve. What we need to understand, though, is that true wisdom is knowledge and fear of God. Real power is obtained in humble submission to God. And lasting riches are found in God’s presence.
We need to realize that we are nothing, we have nothing, and we can do nothing apart from God’s blessing. There is no “finding ourselves” outside of God, for it is He who made us who and what we are. Rather, we will find ourselves and our full potential when we recognize and acknowledge that, “there is none like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is great in might” (Jer 10:6).
Col. 1
Speaking of the blessings of God, Paul spells out God’s greatest gift to us in his letter to the Colossians. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col 1:13-14). Chew on that for a minute, because it’s BIG. It is through Christ that we are truly able to be in God’s presence. As residents of His kingdom, we can be sure that God will never remove His blessings from us.
Through Christ, we become heirs in the Highest of all Kingdoms. He gives us direct access to the riches of God’s presence. And through Christ we know God more fully, because “He is the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15a). What an awesome gift God has given to those who acknowledge that there is none like Him!