Read: Jeremiah 13:11, 15-17
Give glory to the LORD your God before he brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the twilight mountains, and while you look for light he turns it into gloom and makes it deep darkness. (v. 16)
There are four little goings-on that universally create joy, making even the gloomiest heart smile: hearing your name called because you won, being chosen for the job, someone else picking up the tab, and being rescued from danger. So why is it sometimes so hard for the people of God—called and chosen, redeemed and delivered—to feel incredible joy and give God the glory he so deserves? Jeremiah
says it is our pride, lamenting, “If you will not listen, my soul will weep in secret for your pride” (v. 17).
John calls it the “pride of life” (1 John 2:16) and the Amplified Bible elaborates, “pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things.”
Sometimes we forget that Scripture is written mostly for those who follow the triune God, not the pagans “out there somewhere.” Jeremiah tells the people of God if they take credit for the wealth and beauty around them and take responsibility for their own security, God will allow darkness, stumbling, gloom, and deep darkness to overtake them.
Today, we have light to see the mountains ahead. They may be steep, but we need not stumble around in the dark. Our names were called, we were chosen for the job, our debts paid, and our rescue is complete. —Amy Clemen
As you pray, consider what God has done, lay down pride, and dare to feel the joy of it all.
About the Author
With a bachelors in journalism from Texas Tech University and a masters from Western Theological Seminary, Amy Clemens enjoys all things writing, particularly about the life of faith. She is blessed with a family that includes husband Fred, five children, and five grandchildren.
Amy has just published her first book, "Walking When You'd Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall," which weaves her journey from childhood abuse toward healing and spiritual growth with a practical theology for the big story of God. You can find out more about the book and author at walkingwhenyoudratherfly.com.
