Psalm 34:2 I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
You either know one in high school or you were one. Someone who boasts. You know, that one person in your class that thought they were the best at everything. Not only did they think it but they shared it with any one who would listen and some who didn’t want to. Boasting is defined as ‘to talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one’s achievements, possessions, or abilities.”
The word glory here can actually be translated as boast. David is saying he will boast in the Lord. He isn’t going to boast in himself. Although he very easily could have. I mean he killed bear and lion, a giant called goliath, was anointed king and lead a very successful army and kingdom. Despite all of this he knew where his true strength lied, in his Lord.
Scripture is very specific about boasting…
1 Corinthians 1:31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.” (NLT)
Galatians 6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through
which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (NIV)
2 Corinthians 10:17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
In other words, do not boast about yourself! I am sure you have probably done some wonderful and amazing things in your life. Things you probably are quite proud of. However, the works we do do not compare at all to what Christ has done for us and continues to do in those he has saved. My humbling verse that I use to help keep me grounded is found in Isaiah 64:4, All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. I love the part of the verse that says “our righteous acts.” That is saying our good stuff, our best of the best that we can do. The things we think we do well for Christ. The problem is we are told they are “like filthy rags.” Those words refer to what we would describe today as feminine monthly products. Yeah, hard to imagine that isn’t it! That is what we boast in!
We shouldn’t spend our time and energy talking about what we have done or are doing. We need to boast in the Lord. We need to talk about the wonderful things God has done and is doing in our life! Our mouths should be overflowing with glory in Him. David goes on to tell us why it is important for us to do that when he ends the verse with, “let the afflicted hear and rejoice.”
I don’t know about you but when I heard something bragging about themselves it turned me off in a hurry! I might be listening to them but I sure wasn’t really hearing what they were saying. I sure wasn’t rejoicing in what they were saying. David tells us that the afflicted should hear what we boast in and should rejoice.
Someone who is afflicted is someone dealing with pain, suffering or trouble. Have you ever stopped to think about how many people in a day you come across that are in pain, suffering or feeling troubled? I think the numbers would probably shock us. People are so good at faking it and putting on masks that we don’t often see the hurt and pain they are feeling. Not knowing how people are really feeling makes what we say and do that much more important. Although we can’t see through their masks our words can penetrate the mask and possibly allow God to penetrate their hearts.
When we are boasting on what God has done and is doing for us we radiate hope to others. Our peace, and joy become contagious. We give light to the darkness they are facing. There are people around you that are going through a difficult season. We have to give them hope to not only make it through but to thrive. When they hear that we have gone through the same difficulties or similar ones and the way God has worked in our life it gives them reason to rejoice knowing they too can be delivered through it.
It is time for us to do some bragging today! Just remember to brag about Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. The only one that deserves to be bragged about! Are you willing to speak up and speak out and share what he has done in your life!
Things to Think About
1.) Are there areas of your life you catch yourself bragging about? What are they?Looking closely at them, how can you actually give God the glory?
2.) Has there been a time in your life where someone else boasting in the Lord has been
encouragement to you? When? How?
3.) List three things that God has done in your life that you can boast about today.