Contemplative Bible Reading

Jeremiah 9:24 (New Living Translation)

24 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!

I just quoted this verse yesterday. This deserves another comment. God tells the people through the prophet Jeremiah that God delights in three things:

• unfailing love
• justice
• righteousness

Surely there must be something else, huh? This reminds me of Naaman, a commander in the world-conquering Aramean army. How would God rid Naaman of a terrible skin disease? Go wash in the muddy Jordan River. That’s all. Just do that simple thing. Surely, protested Naaman, there were other things, huh? Nope.

Surely there must be more I should do to delight God, huh? Nope. Love others. Be just in dealing with others. Be right before God. But what about…? Well, I can make a long list of other stuff I can do to be right before God. That list would include many good things that would be very good to do with my life. The 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians lists things I could do.

Still, God delights in these three things. Perhaps I should focus on the basics. Perhaps other things will come about because of this focus. Please God, help me in my unbelief.