Friday, January 6: Jeremiah 9-A golden nugget.

Reading chapter after chapter of the depravity of Judah exhausts me. As I read today, I wondered, are we any different today? Is the church any more faithful than Judah was? A sad thought. A painful wondering. Sadly most statistical polls show little or no difference between Christians and the general world population in things like divorce rate, pornography use, etc.

As I read I mused about such things…

Then as the chapter drew to a close I spied a golden nugget… words that could carry me today. Verses 23-24 This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

As I engage this new year God has given me a simple gauge by which I can measure and evaluate my life: let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.

I can focus on knowing and understanding the Lord God. I can model my life on the three characteristics He delights in: kindness, justice, righteousness.

Kindness… treating people well, nicely, politely.

Justice… caring for and speaking up for those who have no voice in society; taking on abuses and excesses of society.

Righteousness… right and proper living in light of God and His Word.

Some practical nuggets for living… Thank You, Lord.

Lord, I have my marching orders… kindness, justice, righteousness… not easy, but a worthy goal for one who wants to follow You faithfully. Bless you, Lord God. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

 

 

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