Friday after Whitsunday
Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-26 (NKJV)
9:23 Thus says the Lord: “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;
24 But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.
25 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “that I will punish all who are circumcised with the uncircumcised—26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, the people of Ammon, Moab, and all who are in the farthest corners, who dwell in the wilderness. For all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.”
Devotion
This passage makes absolutely clear that salvation comes only through faith. Wisdom cannot save. Strength cannot save. Riches cannot save. Neither can the outward act of circumcision. Wisdom we understand; the Greeks of biblical times were seeking salvation through wisdom and knowledge, but they perished because they lacked faith. Strength is obvious, for who is stronger than God? Riches, also, cannot buy the gifts of God. Circumcision, however, represents the Law, and there are many who wrongfully seek salvation this way.
The Jews thought they were saved because they followed the code of the Law: they were circumcised, they sacrificed, and they tithed. But God declares judgment upon them because they lacked faith. Likewise, there are many hypocrites in the Church of God. They attend Church regularly, they tithe, and they give to the poor, but they lack faith in their hearts. Their outward good works will not help them if they do not have faith, as the Lord Jesus teaches in these words: “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you’” (Matt. 7:22-23).
We are saved by faith. The man who has faith, even if he lacks wisdom, strength, or the opportunity for good works, is still justified by his faith.
We pray: O God, who didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people by sending to them the light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
