Life’s Highest Aim

This is what the LORD says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: That they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!” (Jeremiah 9:23–24)

You want to know what people pursue when their eyes are on themselves? You’ve got it right in Jeremiah 9:23. They embrace a “counterfeit value system.” Human wisdom. Human might. Human riches.

I ask you, is this relevant or what? Does that description sound like today’s world? Stop on most any university campus and ask, “What is your goal? What is your plan? Where are you going?” Sometimes the answers will surprise you.

I asked a student on a university campus, “Where are you going?” He said, “Lunch.” I was expecting some great philosophical answer. But aside from a simple answer like that, you will probably hear, “I want to be resourceful” (human wisdom). “I want to be influential” (human might). “I want to be powerful” (human riches). “I want to be successful. I want to wind up top in my company. I want to run things. I want to control people. I want to be in charge. I want to make a name for myself.”

We don’t read a single comment in Jeremiah 9:23 about the living God. But in the next verse, the solution emerges:

but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me. (9:24 NASB 1995)

Now there’s the cure—plain, brief and simple. What is it that will make an unfaithful man faithful? What is it that will make an influential man who’s controlling people a servant? What is it that will cause an individual who has turned to treachery to become gentle and gracious and giving, demonstrating a heart for God? It is understanding and knowing the living God.

Allow me a few moments to take those words apart. The first word, understand, in verse 24, comes from a verb in the original text that means to have correct “insight” into the nature of the object. In this case, the object is the living God. It also includes the idea of “conducting oneself wisely and dealing prudently.” It’s as if he is writing: “To the one who would otherwise turn to his own might and wisdom and riches I offer an alternate plan.” It isn’t popular. You’ll never be in the majority. But you will find the happiness you’re pursuing.

You’ll discover what life is about if you have correct insight into the nature of and conform your life to the character of the living God.