True Glory
Scott K. Miller, Associate Pastor
Victory Baptist Temple, Piedmont, MO
March 17, 2025
Jer 9:23-24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah had been endeavoring, under inspiration, to possess God’s people with a holy fear of Him in the area of praise and punishment. Man has always had trouble in these areas. We praise what God abhors, and we adore what God hates.
Today’s meditation begins with the improper placement of praise in three areas.
The first is misguided glory in man’s wisdom. There is much boasting today in the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI). We are told that if we don’t embrace its capabilities, we will be left behind. The Scripture states: “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God…The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore, let no man glory in men” (I Cor. 3:19-20).
Men shower accolades on our technological advancements, but it is misplaced praise.
The next area of misguided glory is man’s might. Perhaps you heard recently of the career-high goal achieved by a well-known basketball player? Shortly, this will be forgotten and replaced by another. Remember Mohommed Ali? A journalist visited and found most of Ali’s accomplishments stored in a barn, stained with bird dung. Ali was quoted, “I had it all, and it was nothin’.”
The final area we are not to glory in is riches. Man is impressed with entrepreneurs who accumulate great wealth. Financial planners advise people to place money in silver or gold. God’s advice is to hoard neither. Great wealth may impress men, but it does not impress God.
Man’s wisdom, might, and riches were the hope of folks in Jeremiah’s day as in ours; however, what they praised would end in grief and despair.
The proper placement of praise and glory is in an intimate knowledge of the LORD. Few among the Jews had a true knowledge of God or gloried in what He delighted in—lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness. Those who gloried in God were better off than any amount of might, worldly wisdom, or wealth.
What affects the soul is more important than what pleases the flesh.
Consider – We honor athletes, movie stars, and Nobel winners, but the greatest, best achievers are those who grow in grace and knowledge of their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
