Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Friday within the Octave of Whitsunday

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-26 (NKJV)

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

If the world praises you for your wisdom, Wise Man, become wiser. Seek the higher wisdom. That greater wisdom is the knowledge of God and the understanding of His Word. It is a wisdom that only the Holy Spirit can give and expand, doing so through His teaching of the Divine Word to the faithful hearer of the Word, making you wise to the way of salvation. This is the wisdom that God is delighted to teach to you by His Spirit.

If the world lauds you for your strength, Mighty Man, become stronger. Build up the inner strength. That greater strength is the strength of the Lord that He provides to the soul. It is a strength that only the Holy Spirit can engender and grow, doing so through His wrestling with faithful Israel in the midst of his earthly trials, enabling you to overcome all challenges to faith. This is the strength that God is delighted to build up within you through His Spirit.

If the world acknowledges you for your wealth, Rich Man, become richer. Enrich yourself with a true treasure. That higher treasure is the inheritance that is laid up in Heaven for you. It is a wealth that only the Holy Spirit can deliver and guard, doing so through the truth that He speaks and the faith that He creates through the Word, leading you to treasure the life—and all of the material and spiritual blessings pertaining to it—that God has given to you. This is the wealth that God is delighted to give to you in His Spirit.

We pray: All Wise, Almighty, and Ever-Gracious Lord, make me wise by Your Word and strengthen me by Your Spirit, that I might treasure now and forever Your lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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