Give Glory to our 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;

But let him who glories glory in this,

That he understands and knows Me,

That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness in the earth.

For in these I delight,” says the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Ephesians 5:1 exhorts us, Christians, to be imitators of God. The few verses above from Jeremiah gives us an example of who God is, and how we are to be like Him.

The Lord begins by saying that a man is not to give glory and honor to his own wisdom, strengths, and riches. These things came from God, and we ought to give the glory and honor to Him! As is written in Matthew 22: 15-22, we are to give back to God the things that are God’s. He has given us strength, wisdom, and riches beyond what we might think, yet do we always repay Him these? Do we use these strengths, riches, and wisdom to serve Him?

Our strengths ought to lie in God: courage, determination, and confidence in Him. Our wisdom out to lie in God: knowledge, and how to use it to glorify Him. Our riches ought to lie in God: the money and physical things which help support our goals in evangelism.

We are to exercise lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness on this earth, for the Lord delights in these things. God uses the word “exercise” for a reason. We must put these characteristics to work in our lives, expressing them to others, showing them who God is. It is a physical effort, and it can be uncomfortable and exhausting, but it doesn’t go without reward.

If we make a never-ending effort to be with God and bring others to Him, we will receive a reward beyond comprehension. Won’t it be grand to hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

- Halle Nelsen