The High Calling of Knowing Him

 

The High Calling of Knowing Him

​"Let not the wise boast in their wisdom or the strong boast in their strength or the rich boast in their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me..." — Jeremiah 9:23–24

​"Dear children, keep yourselves from idols." — 1 John 5:21

​"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." — Galatians 5:13

​The Misplaced Boast

​We live in a world that constantly pressures us to build our own kingdoms. We are told to anchor our identity in what we know (wisdom), what we can control (strength), and what we accumulate (riches). Yet, God shatters this superficial foundation through the prophet Jeremiah, warning us that earthly metrics are fragile grounds for confidence.

​The only true, unshakable anchor for the human soul is to know and understand the Lord. True fulfillment comes from an intimate relationship with a Creator who delights in exercising steadfast love, justice, and righteousness. When we boast in our own capacities, we build on shifting sand; when we boast in knowing Him, we anchor ourselves to the Eternal Rock.

Ground Basis Result

Earthly Boast (Shifting Sand)Wisdom, Might, WealthDeep Anxiety & Fragile Kingdoms

Heavenly Boast (Eternal Rock)Knowing & Understanding GodUnshakable Peace & Freedom

The Anatomy of Heart Transformation

​These three scriptures form a complete, diagnostic chain for the human heart:

​Jeremiah diagnoses the root condition (pride).

​John exposes the systemic symptom (idolatry).

​Paul reveals the ultimate cure (sacrificial love).

​Phase 1: The Root — The Psychology of the "Boast"

​In Jeremiah 9:23–24, God highlights the three pillars of secular security: wisdom, might, and riches. The Hebrew word for "boast" is halal, meaning to shine or celebrate. When we halal in our own attributes, we are trying to shine our own light—a trap that feels like strength, but is actually rooted in anxiety:

​Boasting in wisdom forces you to always be the smartest person in the room to feel safe.

​Boasting in might forces you to constantly control your circumstances and those around you.

​Boasting in riches leaves you in perpetual fear of economic shifts.

​God’s command is to shift our halal entirely to celebrate that we understand and know Him (yada—a deep, experiential intimacy). When our safety is anchored in God's infinite character, the pressure to maintain our fragile kingdoms vanishes.

​Phase 2: The Symptom — How a Boast Becomes an Idol

​When we fail to find our identity in knowing God, the heart automatically defaults to manufacturing substitutes. John warns believers: "Dear children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21). A functional idol is often a good thing (a career, family, or reputation) mutated into an "ultimate thing." If you lose it, you feel your life has lost its meaning. Idols demand constant sacrifice—your peace, integrity, and relationships—without ever giving life in return.

​Phase 3: The Cure — Freedom Through Emptiness

​We break the power of functional idols through "the expulsive power of a new affection"—replacing the idol with the gospel of grace. Paul notes that we have been called to freedom (Galatians 5:13), but not to indulge the flesh.

​Secular Freedom: "I have the power to make you serve my desires."

​Kingdom Freedom: "I am so secure in God that I am free to serve yours."

​When your cup is filled with God's steadfast love, you no longer use people to validate your worth. You are finally free to ask your neighbor, "How can I serve you?"

​A Personal Reflection: Trusting God in the Wilderness

​When Ross and I were homeless, we had to look deep into our own hearts to see where we were failing God, each other, and ourselves. We had to truly repent and ask God to guide us to a better life. Once we aligned our hearts with His, doors began to open. We received two offers to purchase land with minimal down payments—our first real test of trusting God.

​The first option was two acres with an old storefront and two apartments. It had a building, water, and sewer, and was only 1.5 hours from family. It was three doors down from a church of the same denomination we had previously left. However, after listening to their services online, we recognized the same atmosphere of judgment and condemnation rather than God's love. When I called the town office, I discovered $5,500 in back taxes and unpaid water bills on top of the seller's asking price. Listening to that still, small voice, we opted out.

​Instead, God led us here: land for $1,500 down and $160 a month, with no liens or back taxes. Best of all, it was just one mile from a church with a community food cupboard.

​When COVID-19 hit and doors closed, we found Pastor Dan online. Though we grieved deeply with him when his wife passed away before we could meet her, attending his church in person after lockdowns revealed a congregation filled with genuine love and kindness. God cleared our path, led us to the right home, and placed us in a community where we can truly serve Him.

​Heart Inventory

​Where am I boasting? If you feel high anxiety over performance or finances, rest in knowing God's love is unearned and unbreakable.

​What is my functional idol? If you experience extreme anger when a plan is blocked, name the idol, repent of its control, and surrender it to God.

​Am I truly free? If you hesitate to serve without personal benefit, seek out one hidden act of humble service today with zero desire for recognition.

​Reflection Questions

​What is one area of your life (wisdom, strength, finances) where you are tempted to rely on yourself rather than boasting in God's provision?

​What subtle "idol" has been competing for the primary affections of your heart this week?

​How can you practically use your spiritual freedom to humbly serve someone in your circle today?

​Prayer

​Lord Heavenly Father, 

Thank You for stripping away our false confidences and showing us that our only true security is in knowing You. Forgive us for the times we have boasted in our own strength, wisdom, or resources, and for letting good gifts become idols in our hearts. Thank You for Your faithful guidance through our darkest wildernesses and for opening the right doors in Your perfect timing. Fill us so deeply with Your steadfast love that we are freed from self-interest and empowered to serve others humbly. In Jesus' name, Amen.

​The Lord's Prayer

​Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

​BELIEVE, OBEY, BE BLESSED, AMEN 

BOBBA ❤️

Love, Penny 💛