Glorying in Our Intimacy with God

UV 1036/10,000 Glory in Our Intimacy with God

“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches;”

Jeremiah 9 v 23

Our ultimate destiny lies not in the increase of our wisdom, our knowledge, our power, strength, glamour, beauty, influence or riches. The fulfillment of our destiny and our purpose lies in a personal understanding, knowing and personally relating with the Lord God who created us. We can delight in a personal relationship with God as Creator, Father, Best Friend, Lord, Master, King, Ruler, Provider, Affirmer, Protector, Source of Strength and Power, Beautifier, Equipper, Enabler, Enricher.. Wisdom will be found to be foolish in comparison with the dynamic and amazing counsel and excellent guidance we receive from the Holy Spirit. The discernment of people and spirits, the gift of knowing what to do or say in a given situation, the gift of remembering the apt Word of God are imparted by the Holy Spirit. We can delight in the fact that the Lord has revealed Himself to us. In that revelation is our glory, greatness, pleasure, wisdom, power and riches. Our world or our little universe changes not due to revolution but due to revelation.

When a man exults in his limited knowledge, wisdom, brilliance, strength, prowess or resources, he is like a firefly that exults in its own light for a short while and then it perishes and that light is extinguished forever. Wisdom lies in recognizing the finiteness of our knowledge, the limitations of our talents, power, strength and abilities, the transient nature of our earthly riches. A man tends to boast of what he is full of, of the things that constantly saturate his mind, that fill his heart with pride and confidence. In this uni-verse, the Lord warns us against such misplaced confidence and trust in wisdom, power or riches for these are deceptive and short-lived. Yesterday, after I boarded a flight I saw a man with a majestic moustache climbing up. It was apparent that he was proud of his massive walrus moustache. Our confidence in the things of the world is as vain, empty and hopeless as that man boasting silently to all the world of his kingly mane.

Like in the Song of Songs, we must be like a lover whose sole delight is in the embrace of her beloved, whose comfort is in His presence, whose life is enriched by His Word, whose steps are guided by His voice, whose protection lies in His strong arms, whose security consists in His promises. We find our wisdom, strength and riches in the Lord. Our hope is in His promise, “ He shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory.” He supplies all my need according to what is available for me but according to the measure of His infinite, eternal, inexhaustible resources in heaven. My need for wisdom, power and resources is met here and now but its source is from a different plane and place, different magnitude and dimension. But I delight in my intimacy with the Lord not because He supplies my need but I value this relationship for its own sake, far above what blessings or benefits it doubtless brings me.

Prateep V Philip