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 loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight.” Jer. 9:23-24 (NKJV)

In Jeremiah’s day, the people to whom he wrote made the same mistakes people make today. They gloried, trusted and honored the wrong things. Note what they gloried in, and how so many do the same today.

They gloried in wisdom. How many people today glory in higher learning and intellectualism? How many arguments have been won or lost simply because some high sounding scientist made an erroneous argument? Think about the THEORY of evolution, propounded on erroneous data and interpretations, yet made out to be fact. As a result, many do not believe in God, or try to compromise the truths of the Bible with “science falsely so called.” Philosophies have been preached and proclaimed that are contrary to God’s will and way. Today we are asked to be tolerant and accepting of anything, except the exclusiveness of Christianity. Yes, the wise man today is glorying in his so called wisdom.

Many glory in their strength and might. We glory in America’s military power and its awesome armaments. We glorify those who are slim, trim and muscular. With many, having a perfect body and being physically fit is the religion of their lives. They glory in it—yet they fail to remember that no matter how physically fit they are, they will still die. Then they will face the God who made all things and who has all power. What will their glory be in then?

Others glory in their riches. The rich often will not hear the gospel of Jesus, because they think they have all they really need. But, like Howard Hughes, when they die they leave it all behind. The writer of Ecclesiastes and Paul in 1 Timothy 6 stress that riches are fleeting, and the one who puts his faith or glory in these things will surely be disappointed.

No, the one who glories should glory in the fact that he knows and understands the Lord. All through Jeremiah God emphasized to His people time and again the fact that they had rejected Him, had been unfaithful to the covenant He made with them and had ignored his law and his ways. He emphasized that if they would obey His commands, they would know Him.

As we consider this point, we can note several reasons why God gave the law. First, they support and proclaim the reality of God’s holiness and righteousness. They reflect God’s eternal righteousness. Secondly, God gave the law to be obeyed, not haggled over and despised. Thirdly, they served to remind Israel of her history and relation with God—a relation that they rejected for false gods.

God is THE God who exercises loving kindness, judgment and righteousness on the earth. No other god could make that claim. No other god could, because every other god was and is a god of our own making. Yes, we humans are great at creating other gods—gods that satisfy our desires, wants and needs. But these gods cannot satisfy—only the God who has revealed Himself through Scripture can.

What do you glory in? I hope it is in GOD!