Bible Reading: ISAIAH 10:1-end
“Shall the Ox boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood” – Isaiah 10:15 (KJV).
When man understands the place of, and the necessity for God in his life, he will not have any reason to boast. We display folly and highest level of ignorance when we boast of our achievements, our possessions or our position. There is nothing we are and nothing we have, nothing we will ever have or can ever be apart from God. True understanding leaves no room for boasting. When people boast, they simply display their ignorance because man’s life from creation to death is only the gift of God. He is the giver of life and the sustainer of life. Every blessing come from God, even the blessing of life itself. The very air we breathe, the food and water we drink and the energy to work all come from God.
The main reason why people boast is unhealthy comparison and competition. One may feel he has achieved more result, attained higher position, acquired more properties or acquired more wealth than others. Some boast because they perceive that they are more beautiful than others or because they perform better than their counterparts. When viewed in the light of reality, one discovers that all these and many more are gifts from God including the ability to perform impressively. “For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” – 1 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV). All such boasting is foolishness. There is no self made man anywhere. If God withdraws from any man, the result is obvious, death. Our sufficiency is of God. Without him we are nothing and we can do nothing. We can only do all things through Christ that strengthens us. Anyone that boasts apart from God is simply foolish. “But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil” – James 4:16 (KJV).
PRAYER: Lord, help me to only boast in you.
Rev. Vincent Diolu