Young Adults' Group

The Glory Of Knowing God

by Pastor Mark
May 16, 2019

The word of God

The glorious privilege of being a prophet is to receive a word from God. When he has received a Divine word, he would seek to communicate that word to the people of God. As a prophet, Jeremiah was tasked to be both a foreteller and a forthteller. A common phrase that he would often use as a prophet was, “Thus says the Lord” (Jer 9:23) This phrase would clearly indicate that Jeremiah was going to speak the very word of God…a word that had been specially revealed to him. What did God reveal to Jeremiah for His people?

The challenge for man not to glory in himself

The people of Israel sought to glory in themselves…to think of how great they were as a nation, as a society. There were different groups of people that the Lord highlighted that could not in any way help Israel from the impending judgment.

1. Wise man…“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,” (Jer 9:23)

Some were considered to be wise. However, the Lord thought otherwise, “The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord;

So what wisdom do they have?” (Jer 8:9) As long as they rejected the word of God, there was no understanding in these so-called “wise man”. They should not glory in their wisdom.

2. Might…“Let not the mighty man glory in his might,” (Jer 9:23)

Some thought they were mighty in strength, to fight against any nation that would come to attack them. Israel turned to other nations for help. However, the might of these men was not going to save Israel in any way.

3. Riches…“Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;” (Jer 9:23)

Even though some may have riches, there was no point glorying in them. Their riches were not going to prevent the Lord’s judgment from being meted against Israel.

The glory of God

1. The right focus in giving glory

“But let him who glories glory in this,” (Jer 9:24) What should be the proper focus? Our glory should be of the Lord and not of ourselves. God should be our only focus.

2. The glory of understanding and knowing God

“That he understands and knows Me,” (Jer 9:24) Jeremiah learnt that our glory should be in that we can understand God. God reveals Himself to us, and we can deepen our comprehension of God. We should glory in being able to know God at all.

3. The glorious attributes of God

“That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.” (Jer 9:24) What are some of the attributes that we can know about God? He exercises lovingkindness. His love is so deep that we can never fully discover it. He is a God of justice who brings good judgment to all things. His righteousness is manifested in all the earth.

4. The glorying that delights God

““For in these I delight,” says the Lord.” (Jer 9:24) In that we glory in God, it is what delights Him. Let us be challenged to glory, not in the things of man. Let us be challenged to glory in God and for all that He is to us.

Back to Article Listing