The Daily Word: Saturday, September 11th, 2021
Isaiah 8:1-9:21
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Psalm 55:1-23
Proverbs 23:4-5
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. – 2 Cor. 12:1-5
The Apostle Paul is being coy in verses 1 through 5. He doesn’t want to boast…so he pretends to tell a story about another man, while really talking about himself. “I know a man…[who] was caught up into Paradise” (vv 2-4). He doesn’t want to boast! So he boasts in the third person.
But notice where the Apostle Paul settles as led by the Spirit of the Lord: “For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool” (v 5). Boasting – which means to “glory”[1], in this case about oneself – makes you foolish. Boasting is never profitable! We should always refrain from boasting. Because when we refuse to humble ourselves, God will humble us.
Think about how this stands in stark contrast to the way we are told to build our careers and our relationships in modern-day society. You are expected to promote yourself if you want the job! You are supposed to speak highly of yourself if you want other people to respect you. But that kind of speech is diametrically opposed to the Gospel. If you boast about yourself, God will humble you; but if you humble yourself, God will exalt you.
Prayer:
Father, I refuse to promote myself. I trust You to do what You want to do in my life at exactly the right time. I will not take matters into my own hands. I will not speak more highly of myself than I ought! I will trust You to bring me into the glory of Your name, instead of trying to make my own name glorious, in Jesus’ name.
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.
[1] Greek kauchaomai, Strong’s G2744