“But let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”
(Jeremiah 9:24)
We tend to feel good about ourselves based on what we have achieved, what we own, or how we compare with others. Yet speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord sweeps all these grounds of boasting aside and gives His people a better reason to rejoice: “Let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me.”
Many acknowledge God’s existence while remaining strangers to Him. But God wants us to know Him as He has revealed Himself in His Word and through His Son. He wants us to know His heart, His ways, and His works. To understand something of His character, to have fellowship with Him through Christ, and to be brought into covenant communion with Him is a treasure infinitely greater than all we can acquire here on earth.
God especially directs our attention to three glorious attributes in this passage: His lovingkindness, His judgment, and His righteousness.
The Lord exercises lovingkindness in the earth. He delights to show mercy to undeserving sinners. Every act of forgiveness, every answer to prayer, every daily provision, and every spiritual blessing flows from His covenant love. The believer’s entire salvation is a testimony to His lovingkindness.
He also exercises judgment in the earth. God rules over the nations with perfect wisdom and justice. Nothing escapes His notice. He restrains evil, vindicates His truth, and orders all things according to His holy will. Though His judgments are sometimes mysterious, they are always righteous.
And He exercises righteousness in the earth. Everything God does is perfectly right. He never acts unjustly, never fails in His promises, and never deviates from His holy character. His righteousness is the foundation of all His works.
The Lord then adds these remarkable words: “For in these things I delight.” God delights to be merciful. He delights to govern in righteousness. He delights to display His holy character before the children of men. He is not reluctant to show grace, nor indifferent toward His people. His heart is inclined toward all that is holy, righteous, and good.
This truth should cause the believer’s heart to overflow with thanksgiving.[1]
The Lord has preserved us in dangers we never saw. He has sustained us through trials that seemed too heavy to bear. He has answered prayers, delivered us from temptations, corrected us in love, and continually supplied our needs. Every spiritual victory, every comfort, and every deliverance is the work of His gracious hand.
So if we must glory, let us glory in this: that we know the Lord. Let us rejoice that the God of heaven has revealed Himself to us in Jesus Christ and has shown us His lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness. For to know Him is eternal life, and to praise Him is the highest privilege of His redeemed people.
Contemplations:
- My Desire To Boast In Lesser Things. I am often tempted to find my value in things that do not last. I can become proud of abilities, accomplishments, or possessions. Yet none of these things can compare with the privilege of knowing God. I want my confidence and joy to rest in Him alone.
- Remembering God’s Lovingkindness. When I look back over my life, I can see countless evidences of the Lord’s mercy. He has forgiven my sins, supplied my needs, and patiently borne with my weaknesses. His lovingkindness has been constant in every season of my life.
- Trusting God’s Righteous Rule. There are many things I do not understand, but I know that God exercises judgment and righteousness in the earth. His government is perfect, and His ways are wise. I can rest because nothing happens outside His sovereign care.
- Giving God All The Glory. I often receive blessings without stopping to praise the One who gave them. Yet every deliverance, every answer to prayer, and every spiritual comfort comes from His hand. I want to be more thankful and more eager to give Him the glory that belongs to Him alone.
Prayer (Thanksgiving):
Gracious and holy Lord, thank You for making Yourself known to me. Left to myself, I would have remained in darkness and ignorance, but You revealed Your glory through Your Word and through Your Son.
Thank You for Your lovingkindness, which has followed me throughout my life. Your mercies are new every morning. You have forgiven my sins, sustained my soul, and shown patience toward me beyond all measure.
I am grateful that You exercise judgment and righteousness in the earth. Nothing is outside Your sovereign rule. You govern all things wisely and perfectly, and I can rest in the certainty that Your ways are always right.
Thank You for every deliverance. Thank You for the trials You have rescued me from and the dangers from which You have preserved me. Thank You for the countless mercies that I have forgotten and the blessings that I have too quickly taken for granted.
Forgive me for boasting in lesser things and for seeking glory for myself. Teach me to rejoice chiefly in this, that I know You and belong to You through Jesus Christ.
May my heart delight in Your character and my lips continually praise Your name. Let my life be a testimony that You alone are worthy of all honor, glory, and thanksgiving.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References:
1 Cor. 1:31; 2 Cor. 10:7; Micah 7:18; Psalm 34:2
[1] Alexander Henderson, A Sermon Preached before the Right Honorable the Lords and Commons, (London: Printed for Robert Bostock .., 1644), 8-9.
