2 Corinthians 10:17, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”
Paul was a superior model of a great faithful spiritual teacher, leader, and writer, that never boasted about his own abilities. He lived out Jeremiah 9:23,24, “Thus says the LORD, “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness on earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” Paul quoted this text to the Corinthian Christians in 1 Cor. 1:31 and again in 2 Cor. 10:17. Yahweh, the God of Israel, understands and knows me. What a comfort that is!
It is interesting to note that Paul was not a trained spell bounding speaker. He was, however, a brilliant thinker. Paul had not had formal education in the Greek schools of oratory and speech making as no doubt many of the false teachers of that time had graduated from, that criticized his delivery in speaking (but Paul was one of the most educated of all of the apostles). In comparison, Paul’s ministry appeared small to these men. Yet look how God used Paul’s humble, obedient, and faithful, simple presentation of the gospel. Paul fulfilled God’s calling on his life in teaching the gospel of salvation and left the results to God, as Paul stated in 1 Cor. 1:25, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” Paul’s goal and purpose when he was preaching and teaching were two things: 1. One’s faith would be increased. 2. That the gospel message would be embraced and would then be given out by the hearers in the remoter parts of Achaia.
Paul had learned that all that he had was from the Lord. Presumed accomplishments are just that – assumed thinking. God just wants us to stay faithful in where He has placed us to serve Him, all for His glory. Statistics do not show the total picture and are often manipulated.
A parallel verse is found in Proverbs 27:1,2, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”
Giving God credit for what He has done needs to be first out of our mouth, out of my mouth, despite our restrictive circumstances, frustrations, and at times anger with people that seem to be obstacles in our (my) life. God is sovereign. That will never change.
What lessons are you still learning about God – is it His love? His faithfulness? His power and justice?
I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. I can’t see when the end of all this quarantine will be for sure, but I do know God has given me today to live for Him, and to be a good steward in it. I rest in the name of the God of my life, El Hayyay. I have lessons still to be learned.
Listen to Danny Gokey-Give Me Jesus (Live), January 23, 2016 YouTube.