DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: JULY 26 CHRISTIAN AND BOASTING (1) SCRIPTURE: 1 KINGS 20: 10 – 11; JEREMIAH 9: 23
It is common thing to hear someone telling another person “Who do you take yourself to be? Am I your equal?” Another will be heard saying “I can do whatever I wish with you, either kill you or maim you, and nothing can happen!” In terrorism ridden nations, terrorist leaders had boasted of their powers and the strength of their weapons. Such people would conveniently challenge their government to take them as they are because they are above the laws. In 1 Kings 20: 10 – 11 King Ben-Hadad boasted of his power and might over the people of Israel, including the God of Israel. These are languages of bragging and boastings. Anyone might say nothing is wrong with boasting and bragging.
Today’s devotional wishes to tell readers that bragging and boasting, especially those referred to as “negative boasting” offends God. God specifically sent Prophet Jeremiah to the people of Israel warning them not to boast, pride themselves in who they take themselves to be (Jeremiah 9: 23). The tone of the message typified God’s hate for boastings. We can imagine the level of God’s anger on boasters and braggers in our today’s world. Mere human beings foolishly bragged at God and His children. Those opportuned in riches and wealth talk as if others before them are no humans. Some of the rich and wealthy carved out their cities away from those they considered poor because it is a taboo for the poor to meet them on the road. It is baffling to hear people talking down on God when they become established; even those who ran to prayer house to become rich and wealthy. The beloved in the LORD, wisdom demands we know that we all become who we are and achieved what we achieved by the grace of God.
Someone may say “But I am not a Christian and I don’t believe in God.” This again is height of folly. God gives any good thing through grace to anyone. To those who do not believe in Him, the grace becomes instrument of judgment at the death. The Bible said: “It is appointed unto man to die, after that judgment” (Heb. 9: 27). God is he who gives whatever we are endowed with to us. He told Prophet Jeremiah to tell the Israelites how to boast: “But let he who boasts boast about this: that he understands and know me, that I am the LORD who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in this I delight” (Jer. 9: 23). This verse of the scripture is for those religious people claiming to be more holy and righteous than others to have a second thought properly. God is also He who imputed holiness and righteousness into human beings. We will look at how Christians should boast tomorrow. Follow us!
PRAYER:
FATHER LORD, I want to tender apology for all my statements of bragging and boastings, thinking all I have achieved were through my efforts. Grant me the right mind to know how to credit my accomplishment to you and Jesus Christ your Son. Amen!
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch
