Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24
 “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
but let those who boast boast about this:
that they understand and know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
 
Thought for the Day: I’ve seen televangelists and evangelicals use this passage of Jeremiah as an excuse to claim some special knowledge about God or what God wants. Usually this involves sending them lots of money. “I know and understand God,” they say, “and God has told me to build a temple with a Starbucks and seating for 5000, and a bookstore to sell videos of my sermons, and a permanent home for the Rolling Stones, who are God’s favorite band. And don’t forget to send me a check! The Stones are expensive!”
 
This attitude completely misses the point of this passage. Jeremiah, probably preaching to the “televangelists” of his own era, reminds us to be humble and modest. Knowing and understanding God has nothing to do with privilege. Knowing and understanding are wisdom statements about consciousness. We know and understand that God is a loving, just and righteous universal force. Hopefully, knowing God in this way gives us the wisdom to act with love and justice as well. We’re not to boast about consciously understanding God as love. Our actions will make that clear.

Prayer: Good and loving God, crush the ego that makes us boast, as if we are somehow more favored than our brothers and sisters. Help us know You more deeply, and understand You more clearly, so that every second of our lives become examples of love and compassion. Make us transparent, Lord, so people see You through us, no sales pitch necessary. Amen.