Thought for July 19th. “FOR IN THESE THINGS I DELIGHT”

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The LORD tells Jeremiah, “ … for in these things I delight.” These things form a wonderfully positive statement – following after so many words denouncing the ungodliness of the nation. We can take these words to heart ourselves; challenging words – and those who appreciate the forthright words of the Creator of all things will respond to them.

We read, “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.” [Ch.9 v.23,24]

Let us also delight in these things. But who can say they understand and know God? The extent to which we can say this is greatly influenced by the extent to which we prayerfully read God’s word. By this means, we will come to know and understand God; also, the more it leads us to feel humble and unable to boast about anything.

David, the “man after God’s own heart” was in anguish , as we read today in 2 Samuel 4, because of the actions of some of his supporters, Joab in particular, who did not have his sensitivity as to the wise way to act in the service of God. The chapter ends with David saying, “The LORD repay the evildoer according to his wickedness” – and so it happened – in God’s good time.

David’s final words in his very first Psalm expresses his consciousness that “the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” Are we conscious of how much the LORD “knows” all our ways? Wisdom from above is an essential part of the way of the righteous “for in these things I delight” says our Heavenly Father.