Every election cycle features boasting. Candidates tout their credentials and brag on either the wonderful job they’ve done while in office, or will do if elected. With so many seemingly talented people it’s hard to believe we face any problems at all. Snide comments aside, I’m thankful for our system of government and value my right to vote for the candidates of my choice, even if democracy comes with lots of noise.

While it’s a necessary component of running for office, the Scriptures reminds me that if I’m going to boast, then I should boast in the right things:

This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.

In the midst of calamity Jeremiah reminded listeners to pursue the Lord, to grow in their knowledge of their savior, and to discern his ways. Then trumpet the goodness of God.

Responding to false teachers puffing up their credentials, Paul bragged in an unorthodox way: If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. Paul’s weaknesses elevated the Lord in the eyes of his listeners. He followed, Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

The message? Deprecate my own wonderful self and talk big about God. Get out of the way and allow the awareness of the Lord to shine. When it comes to divine communication, the less the messenger demands attention the more power accompanies the message.

Politicians sing their own praises, that’s a part of getting elected. But when those of us who follow Jesus start boasting, let’s lay it on thick about the Lord.

Jeremiah 9; 2 Corinthians 11 & 12 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Jon Tyson