The Unfailing Boast

The joy of self-praise is fleeting at best.   As Proverbs 16:18 says,

“Pride comes before the…”

 At the beginning of my freshmen year of college, I thought no one could take me.  But three weeks into the school year I was thrown down hard.  When I got married, I thought being the best husband was going to be a cinch.  But the depth of my selfishness was quickly exposed.  There is twisted pleasure in thinking or speaking high of yourself.  But like my morning dose of caffeine, it leads to an inevitable crash.

Similarly, when you put another person on a pedestal of praise, get ready for disillusionment. There was once a preacher that I thought could do no wrong, but my perspective was shattered when his sexual sin was exposed.  I was head over heels for my wife when we were dating and first married – to the point that I thought she was flawless.  But it turns out she was a sinner in need of daily sanctification just like me.  I’ve voted for people thinking they were going to totally turn things around, only to be left wanting.

 The longer I live the more I see the pervasive truth of Psalm 146:3 which says,

“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.”

There is, however, a boast we never have to walk back.  Someone we can never sing enough praises of.  It’s the one who not only created, sustains, and is sovereign over all, but made provision for salvation, sanctification and eternal victory for wretched sinners who confess, repent, and trust in His Son for salvation. 

In Jeremiah 9:23-24 it records God’s call for us to boast in Him.   

“Thus says Yahweh, ‘Let not a wise man boast in his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast in his might; let not a rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am Yahweh who shows lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares Yahweh.” 

When someone tells you to boast about them, they deserve a swift punch to their inflated head.  The only exception to that rule is God.  Why, because He is the only one worthy of worship.  When we sincerely partake in that worship it is never followed by disillusionment but lasting delight. 

As Psalm 89:15 says

“Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face”.

Today, I encourage you to partake in the unfailing blessing of boasting of the Lord!