1 Corinthians 1:31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

One of the most remarkable things about the Bible is its unity. Despite being made up of 66 books written by dozens of authors, the same themes keep coming up, with remarkable unanimity. That is in sharp contrast to the Koran, which was written by one man but is notably self-contradictory. The closer you examine the Bible, the better you understand that it was inspired and guided by the Spirit of God, and God does not change. (2 Timothy 3:16) (I think that “dictated” is too strong a word, because personalities and styles are evident among the various different people who did the writing.) Here, Paul is quoting Jeremiah 9:24, and he himself goes further on the same theme in Philippians 3:4-8, famously calling those things that had been his bragging points “rubbish.” I’m reminded of the proverb, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” Small children don’t know much, but they don’t pretend to know much. Along about our teenage years we start thinking we really know something, when really we still know very little. That’s where the term “sophomore” comes from. Based on Greek, it means “wise fool.” It is as we gain wisdom along with our knowledge that we realize how little we really know, and boasting disappears. Some people never seem to get to that point! There is a very real difference between saying, I’ve done this and that, and saying, God has done this and that through me. The better we understand God and understand ourselves, the more amazed we are that He does anything through us! Understanding that it really is grace, and not something we can brag about, is actually very liberating.

I’ve certainly earned the “sophomore” title in spades! Much of my boasting came from insecurity, so I bragged on what I thought were my strong points. In doing so, I negated what strength I had! The Lord has placed a number of abilities in me, but the longer I walk with Him, the more thoroughly I understand that it’s His doing and not mine, and pride changes to gratitude. Any human comparisons are, to use a Japanese proverb, “acorns comparing height.” When the standard is Almighty God, and His Son Jesus Christ, every trace of room for boasting disappears. Sometimes in looking at others I am tempted to say, “How can they be so blind and foolish?” However, the answer to that question is, “the same way I was.” I have wisdom only to the degree that I follow God. I have strength and ability only to the degree that I allow Him to act through me. However, He is incredibly gracious and faithful, and I have assurance that He will continue to use me for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I wish I didn’t need it quite so often! Help me indeed rest, relax, and rejoice in You, allowing You to do in and through me all that You desire, so that Your purposes may be accomplished on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!