Boast in the Lord (Psalm 44 Devotional)
In God we have boasted all day long and we give thanks to Thy name forever. – Psalm 44:8
We live in a boastful society. People boast about just about everything. Every advertiser boasts that their product is the best, most effective, coolest, tastiest, and most fun product out there. Many athletes boast about their prowess or team’s potential. Politicians boast about how with their acumen they can fix all the problems of the world. Everywhere you look, there is either overt or more subtle covert boasting.
Why? Certainly, a part can be the financial reward. If you believe advertisers, you purchase their product. If a coaching staff believes the boasts of an athlete, they draft or trade for him. If the public believes a politician’s boasts, they elect them. Or it can be strictly for personal gain. If friends believe another’s boast, they may revere him. If a girl believes a guy’s boasts, she may reward him with a more committed relationship.
Most boasting serves the person who is boasting. Think of an area that you’ve boasted about - either subtly or overtly. How did it serve you? Did it somehow cause others to think more highly of you in some way?
The Bible has some harsh things to say about those who boast. Humility is a touted attribute in those who call on the name of the Lord. But we are also called to boast.
It’s the object of our boasting that is different though.
As Christians, we are called to boast in the Lord - to give Him glory. To magnify Him, attribute to Him worth, honor, and majesty. Why?
There are a few reasons. One reason is that just about anything we boast about can become an idol to us. But as we boast in the Lord, and mentally assent to His sovereignty, we gain perspective on other things we boast about. The job, car, vacation, house - they instantly seem much less significant when seen in comparison to God and eternity. Our house may seem important, but when we think about the mansion Jesus is preparing for us in eternity, suddenly we see it as just a thing on temporary loan to us.
But a second reason is that boasting often turns our eyes to us; either by boasting of something about us or something that we approve of, endorse, or enjoy. But boasting in God turns our gaze toward Him, the self-existent One. It allows us to gaze upon the One who is truly worthy of our worship and our eternal praise.
Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 1:31
Questions for Thought
What is something you have been boastful about?
In light of God and eternity, how should you view this?
What would it mean to you to boast in the Lord?
